“The Idea of You,” starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, is set to close out the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival this year. Directed by Michael Showalter, the film revolves around Solène, a 40-year-old single mother who finds herself in an unexpected romance with the 24-year-old lead singer of August Moon, a popular boy band.
Showalter, a familiar presence at SXSW, has previously debuted successful projects at the festival, including “Hello My Name Is Doris” and “The Big Sick,” both of which won Audience Awards. “The Idea of You” adds to his impressive portfolio, exploring themes of love, age, attraction, and the complexities of human connection.
In the film, Solène becomes romantically involved with Hayes during her teenage daughter’s trip to the Coachella Music Festival, where she acts as a chaperone after her ex cancels last minute. However, their relationship faces challenges due to Hayes’ celebrity status, forcing Solène to navigate life in the public eye.
Based on the novel by Robinne Lee, the cast includes Ella Rubin, Reid Scott, Annie Mumolo, Viktor White, Raymond Cham, Jaiden Anthony, and Dakota Adan. Produced by Hathaway, along with Cathy Schulman, Gabrielle Union, Robinne Lee, Eric Hayes, Michael Showalter, and Jordana Mollick, the film is presented by Amazon MGM Studios.
Claudette Godfrey, VP of Film & TV, expressed excitement about the film, describing it as a “sexy, unexpected masterpiece” that offers a fresh perspective on love and human connection. SXSW 2024 will also feature screenings of “The Fall Guy,” an action-comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, as well as “Road House” with Jake Gyllenhaal.
Variety’s parent company PMC holds a majority stake in SXSW, further solidifying the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse and engaging cinematic experiences.
