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Besides the bombardment of rom-coms released around Christmas, the classic feel-good light watches aren’t that common anymore.

They’re few and far between, with rom-com heavyweights George Clooney and Julia Roberts starring in Ticket To Paradise, which was the big drop for 2022, and then Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You, which was last year’s fill.

This year, we’re getting Anne Hathaway and her whirlwind romance with Nicholas Galitzine in The Idea Of You.

An adaptation of author Robinne Lee’s 2017 novel of the same name, the film is about Solène (Hathaway), a 40-year-old mother who meets mid-20s pop star Hayes (Galitzine) while taking her daughter to the Coachella music festival. A steamy romance soon ensues.

The Idea of You might just bring the rom-com back. ShortList notes that not only did the film have the most-watched trailer of any streamer-produced original movie, but it’s also getting some brilliant reviews.

The new flick reportedly picked up 125 million views across social media platforms, including a healthy 10 million on YouTube via the main Prime Video account:

The film isn’t due on Prime Video until May 2, but reviews have already popped up online thanks to a premiere at the SXSW festival in Austin, and they are remarkably strong for a rom-com. Currently, The Idea of You has a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“This is the genre at its best,” says Slashfilm. “From a stellar cast to spectacular execution of a unique story, this movie has so much to offer lovers of rom-coms.”

The publication gave The Idea of You an ‘8 out of 10’ score, while the AV Club also gave the movie an A- rating, and a glowing write-up.

“It’s a warm, approachable movie that you’ll get blissfully lost in,” says the review. “It’s one of the best romantic comedies we’ve seen in quite a while.”

SXSW local publication the Austin Chronicle’s review also states that Showalter has “perfected the modern rom-com”, in reference to Michael Showalter, who directed and co-wrote the movie.

His previous work includes the brilliant The Big Sick and The Dropout TV show.

Aside from Hathaway and Galitzine, the movie also stars Ella Rubin, Reid Scott, Annie Mumolo, Viktor White, Raymond Cham, Jaiden Anthony and Dakota Adan.

Watch out for The Idea of You on Prime Video from May 2.

[source:shortlist]