Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Idea of You review says that the film, more rom than com, is a rare find that makes you both think and feel. Steamy in all the right ways, women adore it, while some men may squirm.

The Idea of You is every single mom’s fantasy. And if we’re being honest here, it’s the fantasy of a lot of married moms as well. Hey, I think it’s safe to say the film is the fantasy of myriad women in general, no matter their marital or maternal status. Who wouldn’t want to feel cherished and desired by a hunky boy band pop star?

The idea of this may sound contrived and frivolous, but Anne Hathaway, as 40-year-old Solene, gives the film weight and substance. Even though her beauty is superlative, she shares our universal pain and insecurity, often caused by ignorance, rejection, betrayal, aging, and life.

In the screening I attended, female viewers were audibly cheering for her, and giving her advice from their seats.

The Idea of You Review — Meet cute

And what red-blooded female wouldn’t root for this romance to work? Solene and Hayes, (Nicholas Galitzine, who you may have seen playing a prince in Red, White and Royal Blue or in Cinderella with Camila Cabello) meet cute at Coachella, where Hayes’ is performing with the consummate boy band, August Moon.

Solene is attending the desert concert as a chaperone for her daughter and her friends. When she mistakes his trailer for a bathroom sparks fly…and fizzle.

Hayes is so smitten by her beauty, as well as by the fact that she has no idea who he is, he manages to suss out that she owns an art gallery in Silver Lake. When he surprises her by showing up one day, the games begin.

Solene is reluctant. Hayes is only 24 (but mature for his age, of course), and she’s still hurting from a nasty divorce. But Hayes is charmingly persistent. As she slowly lets her guard down, other red flags pop up. There’s the rub.

At first their relationship is romantic and lovely. But once the public finds out that their pop idol is dating a “cougar,” social media makes Solene’s life, and the life of her teenage daughter, hell.

Which begs the question, why is it acceptable, encouraged and envied when an older man gets involved with a younger woman, but when an older woman becomes involved with a younger man, they become objects of scorn and shame? Discuss.

While this film may sound contrived to some, director Michael Showalter (The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The Big Sick) proves he knows what moves women. One scene says it all. Hayes and Solene are laying in bed after their first night together. Hayes picks up the phone to order room service, and asks her what she wants.

She replies she’ll have a BLT with fries, and a cookie plate. I kid you not, a cookie plate. Do you have any idea of the comfort and confidence a woman must feel to order that many carbs and calories in front of a delicious younger man she’s only just met? In front of anyone? You know things are getting real when that happens.

And this is where the great divide about this film comes in. While I sat in the theater reveling in almost every minute , my husband sat there cringing. This is an unabashed chick flick that may make any man who isn’t a 24-year-old pop star feel insecure, although they will never admit that’s what’s making them uncomfortable.

Guys, if you really want to score points with your partner, or need currency for getting her to watch a movie that’s more to your taste than hers, I’d suggest enduring The Idea of You with her, and keep your sighs and eye roles to a minimum.

Then buy her cookies.

That’s what my guy did, and believe me, I’m still grateful.

Currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Rated R

1 Hour 55 Minutes

If this The Idea of You review makes you want to snuggle up under a warm blanket and stream it tonight, find it on Prime Video.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Idea of You review says that the film, more rom than com, is a rare find that makes you both think and feel. Steamy in all the right ways, women adore it, while men may squirm.