Do you recall the buzz around a romantic comedy a few months back? Prime Video brought us The Idea of You starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, a unique story of an older woman falling for a much younger man. The character played by Hathaway finds herself drawn to the lead singer of a boy band who is 16 years her junior. This unconventional romance sparked many discussions and questions, including speculations about the main character’s resemblance to Harry Styles.
Shortly after the release of The Idea of You, Netflix unveiled the trailer for A Family Affair starring Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron. The similarities between these two films left many wondering if they were watching a familiar story.
Upon viewing both movies, it becomes evident that while they share common themes and conflicts, there are also significant differences between them. Here are some key distinctions we observed.
1. Age Disparities
In The Idea of You, the age gap between Hathaway and Galitzine may be striking, but in reality, the actors are only 12 years apart. Their characters, Solène (Hathaway) and Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), have a 16-year age difference. In A Family Affair, writer Brooke Harwood (Kidman) and actor Chris Cole (Efron) have a 17-year age gap, which is even wider given the 21-year age difference between Kidman and Efron in real life.
2. The “Celebrity” Challenge
Both movies feature women who develop feelings for younger, celebrity men—one being a member of a boy band and the other an actor. The celebrity status of these men becomes a central point of conflict for Kidman and Hathaway’s characters, prompting them to question the viability of their relationships.
However, the nature of the challenges differs between the two films. In The Idea of You, the focus is on the intense public scrutiny faced by Solène and Hayes. On the other hand, A Family Affair does not address public opinion of the relationship. The complications arise from Chris’s celebrity persona and the dynamic between Brooke’s daughter/Chris’s employee (played by Joey King as Zara) and her reservations about the relationship, creating obstacles for their future together.
3. From Comedy to Romance
While both films effectively blend romance and comedy, The Idea of You leans more towards romance compared to A Family Affair. This difference may be attributed to the stronger chemistry between Hathaway and Galitzine, or the script of the latter emphasizing comedic moments over deepening the bond between Brooke and Chris.
4. Impact on Daughters
Both Kidman and Hathaway’s characters have daughters who are influenced by their relationships with younger men in the films. Brooke’s daughter is older than Solène’s (24 versus 16), but Solène’s daughter, Izzy (Ella Rubin), is more supportive of her mother’s love life than Brooke’s daughter. This contrast can be attributed to Zara’s closer relationship with Chris due to her work with him, which exposes her to his flaws and complicates the situation. Zara plays a crucial role in shaping the outcome of Brooke and Chris’s relationship. However, Izzy becomes the reason for Solène to call off her relationship with Hayes for five years, as Izzy faces challenges with her mother dating a member of a popular boy band.
5. Husband’s Influence
Solène’s husband in The Idea of You leaves her for a younger woman, prompting her to reevaluate her identity beyond just being a wife and mother. This journey mirrors Brooke’s in A Family Affair, where her late husband’s illness becomes a focal point, hinting at underlying issues in the marriage before his passing.
6. Wrapping it Up
Both movies conclude on a positive note, with the couples reconciling amidst the challenges they face, be it online backlash or problematic behavior from a celebrity partner. The notable distinction lies in the time jump at the end of The Idea of You, showing Solène and Hayes reuniting after five years apart. On the other hand, Brooke and Chris get back together within a shorter timeframe.
What are your thoughts on these movies? Did you prefer one over the other? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
The Idea of You, Streaming Now, Prime Video
A Family Affair, Streaming Now, Netflix
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