Greetings again from the darkness. You’d be forgiven, and I ask for that same forgiveness, if a cringey look of pain comes across the face every time a new Rom-Com is announced. Most in this genre are filled with lame dialogue and absurd love connections. Cautious hope springs when writer-director Michael Showalter (THE BIG SICK, 2017) and co-writer Jennifer Westfeldt (FRIENDS WITH KIDS, 2017) adapt the 2017 novel by Robinne Lee. Mr. Showalter, especially, has proven his approach leans into sensitivity, rather than over-cooked romanticism.
Oscar winner Anne Hathaway stars as Solene, a recently divorced mother celebrating her 40th birthday. She owns an art gallery in ultra-hip Silver Lake, and has a close relationship with her teenage daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin). When her ex (Reid Scott) breaks yet another commitment, Solene agrees to take Solene and her friends to the Coachella Music Festival. The meet-cute occurs as Solene searches for a bathroom and ends up meeting Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), a 24-year-old pop star who performs with a popular boy band called August Moon.
The two make goo-goo eyes at each other, and after Hayes sings a song just for Solene, a whirlwind romance begins … against all the good judgment she can muster. Great sandwiches, art purchases, and a pricey watch left behind all play a role in the development of this relationship. Soon, Solene is dropping Izzy at Summer Camp and hopping a private jet to join Hayes (a Harry Styles stand-in) for the European leg of August Moon’s tour. It’s all a bit predictable and expected, however Hathaway and Galitzine are strong enough to prevent the film from sinking into muck.
As you would guess, fame and celebrity are not an easy adjustment for a grounded single mom, no matter how much she enjoys the May-December benefits. Contrary to what we hear these days, going viral is not for everyone, and the complications are almost too much for Solene. To his credit, Hayes is not a typical twenty-something icon, and he works to figure out a relationship infinitely more complex than the nightly groupies that surround him and his bandmates.
Many will dwell on the age discrepancy between Solene and Hayes, but what elevates this one is the reality of the choices faced by parents – their own fun versus what’s best for their children. Being called Yoko 2.0 is a brilliant take by the writer, but it’s a painful moment for an good-hearted mom. Of course, some of the dialogue here does qualify as rom-com drivel, and the him vs her lipstick battles are distracting, but for the most part, the actors and Showalter keep us interested in the human aspects of a tangled web.
Begins streaming on Prime Video on May 2, 2024
Movie Reviews from the Dark 
Okay, ‘sold!’ I’ll be watching this one. I appreciate your candid remarks about rom-coms; most of us, I think, feel the same way and have the same reactions. I’d go as far as to say we experience a degree of saturation. That being said, you did convince me this flic has redeeming features, so I will be watching. Thanks for taking the time to write that rview and have a great week.
Great reviews as always. I definitely agree with you regarding rom coms. Over the past decade, these movies have become a chore to sit through. That being said, this one does sound intriguing to me. Michael Showalter is a talented filmmaker that proved he could make an engaging rom-com with “The Big Sick”. But the main draw for me is Anne Hathaway. Hathaway is a brilliant actress that has always blown me away with her performances. She is always great even when the film she’s in isn’t that good. For instance, “Oceans 8” is a bad movie that I didn’t enjoy at all for its forced feminism. But she was excellent. So I’ll see this film solely for her. Here’s my thoughts on “Ocean’s 8”:
I have hated Anne Hathaway characters since I was dragged to Bride Wars, but luckily fell asleep. This sounds truly awful, thanks for watching this so I don’t have to…
Ha! I can’t defend Ms. Hathaway (not that her career needs my help), but somehow I find her almost tolerable these days … perhaps it’s just from all the exposure. However, your take is certainly understandable and I’m glad I could help!
I should stress it’s not hate more like “get irritated by” and only in contrived romantic comedies.
I understand completely.