"The Idea of You": More Brainwashing Than Bliss?

Okay, I just finished watching "The Idea of You," and honestly? I'm side-eyeing the whole thing. Everyone's fawning over this age-gap romance, this 'fantasy' of a hot boy-bander falling for a 'regular' 40-year-old. But, like, is no one else seeing the inherent ick factor? It's presented as empowering for women, but I think it's just reinforcing tired tropes. She's 'liberated' because a young, rich, famous guy validates her? Come on. Where's her own sense of self-worth BEFORE August Moon crashes into her life? And the whole 'relatability' angle? Please. Solène is running an art gallery, jet-setting to Europe, and generally living a life that's anything but 'average' despite being a single mom. It's a sugar-coated version of reality. But let's get to theory time: I think the writers intentionally made Hayes Campbell seem almost too good to be true, to kind of highlight the impossibility of the relationship. It's not a 'happy ending' film, but a cautionary tale about getting swept up in a fantasy and losing yourself in the process. Remember the scene at the beach house? He's literally surrounded by screaming fans, a constant reminder of the divide between them. I think the ending is actually a good compromise, highlighting them as a couple of real humans rather than just a woman in a relationship with a boy band member. Furthermore. there is a theory out there that Hayes is just a manifestation of Solene's self-doubt. That her desire to have this relationship, and the way she sees Hayes is just a figment of her imagination. Which is...interesting when you think about the title of the movie. I’m not saying it’s bad, per se. Nicholas Galitzine is perfectly cast and charming, and Anne Hathaway is, well, Anne Hathaway. But let's not pretend this is some groundbreaking feminist statement or a realistic portrayal of age-gap relationships. It's a fluffy romance with a slightly sinister undercurrent. Give me something with some real grit, some actual exploration of the power dynamics at play. Guess I'm just not buying the Kool-Aid.