This article appears in the SXSW 2024 issue ofDen of Geekmagazine.
Check out all of our SXSW coveragehere.
There are meet cutes, and there are meet cutes.
Were you a fan of Robinne Lees novel before this project came along?
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It came to me as a script.
So I became familiar with the novel after I already knew about the movie project.
Some folks have speculated that the novels pop star is inspired by Harry Styles.
Did you get a sense of that?
Youd have to ask Robinne Lee.
I wouldnt want to speak for her.
But I think, for myself, theres a lot of interest in Harry Styles.
He certainly bears some similarities with Harry Styles.
Hes British and not what you would expect him to be.
He reveals sides of himself that are refreshing.
And I think thats what seems appealing about Harry Styles; hes breaking some expectations.
So I feel like there are definitely some similarities there… but its sort of an amalgam of everything.
And thats what happens in the movie.
Whats interesting about [Galitzines] character is that.
Who would I be now?
But theres some skepticism when its an older woman and a younger man.
Its treated with skepticism or ridicule, calling them cougars.
Its a real double standard.
There are forces outside the relationship that are trying to break them up, essentially.
Almost acting like shes Yoko Ono.
Is she going to break up the band?
You mentionedNotting Hill, and I definitely got vibes of that.
Its wish fulfillment, isnt it, inNotting Hill?
Yes, and it is in this too.
This is also wish fulfillment.
Like, older women lust after Harry Styles.
There is a uniquely strong sort of relationship that I feel an older female audience has with Harry Styles.
Theres a feeling that he sees their beauty, and hes attracted to older women basically [laughs].
He sees them as sexual beings, so theres reciprocity there.
What is different is that inNotting Hill,Hugh GrantisJulia Roberts number one fan.
In our movie, she doesnt even recognize him when they first meet.
So the audience knows who he is, but she doesnt.
And thats part of what he likes about her, actually.
Shes not just gonna fall into bed with him because hes Hayes Campbell.
The Idea of You is the closing night film at SXSW, screening on March 16.
It will be available to stream on Prime Video on May 2.
