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Directed by Michael Showalter, The Idea of You adapts Robinne Lee’s bestselling novel of the same name. The novel was a hit however the faced more controversies than expected. It is said to be a fan fiction novel with the Grammy winning solo pop singer Harry Styles as a lead character.
“Harry Styles was one of the multiple people who inspired Hayes Campbell.” Lee shares her thoughts after continuous controversies surrounding the initial claims of Hayes Campbell, the lead being inspired by Harry Styles. Lee sheds light on the difficulties and intricacies involved in creating the character of Hayes Campbell.
Character Inspiration
“When writing Hayes Campbell, I’m not picturing Harry Styles.” Robinne Lee, the author of the book ‘The Idea of You’ said in an interview to Entertainment Weekly. Lee emphasizes that Styles was one of the multiple influences like, JFK Jr., Michael Hutchence, and members of Duran Duran. More than the novel, the filmmakers do take care to align the character with Mr. Styles. But that somehow that doesn’t mean the movie is about the musician.
Lee shares, “I regret mentioning Mr. Styles as an inspiration, now it is being used as a clickbait.”
Not a Fan Fiction
Denying the allegations of lead of the book being inspired by Harry Styles’ life and controversy about writing a fan fiction, Lee says, “I don’t consider it fan fiction at all.” She talks about how she had explored the depth of character’s development in the novel and a multi-dimensional personality to Campbell.
While the male lead character aligns with that of singer Styles who was once a member of boy band One Direction, Lee shares that “The Idea of You is meant to focus on a middle-aged woman Solene (played by Anne Hathway) who navigates her life after her ex-husband and how she sees herself.”
Adaptation and Recognition
After getting acclaimed in 2017 for the book ‘The Idea of You’ it was later adapted into a movie starring Nicholas Galitzine as Hayes Campbell and Anne Hathway as Solene.
Despite the controversy surrounding the inspiration for the character, Lee’s book was well received by the audience for it exploration of self-identity, love and societal norms. The adaptation bought her a wider and larger audience, cementing her place in the contemporary literature.
Not an Original Ending
The film surprises the book audience with a twisted ending. The movie shows timeslip of 5 years where Hayes Campbell visits Solene’s Gallery, and she has teary smile. In the book they did not end happily.
Lee describe this as an American ending. Lee intentionally didn’t plan a happy ending. In the book Lee wanted to show how we as women, put others’ happiness before our own. Solene chose her daughter before Hayes, and her best friend, Lulit, her business partner and the co-owner of her gallery, which was suffering from her relationship with Hayes. It would’ve been perfect happy ending if she could have balanced all three, but at that point in time, she couldn’t, Lee stated in an interview with EW.
Author not involved in Filmmaking
In the recent interview Lee said she was not involved in the adaptation and the director didn’t discuss about the changes. She somehow supports the happy ending in the movie as she agrees upon different medium have different requirements. Lee said, “The book is a book and a movie is a movie. You have to step away and let the filmmakers do what they’re going to do.”
About ‘The Idea of You’
Based on a critically acclaimed novel of same name talks about a contemporary love story between Solene (Anne Hathway), a 40 year old single mom who unexpectedly get into a romantic relationship with 24 year old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), lead singer of the hottest boy band on the planet. It is when Solene needs to chaperone her teenage daughter on their trip to Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails last minute, Solene encounters with Hayes. The undeniable spark leads to whirlwind romance between Solene and Hayes, but soon enough Hayes celebrity status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship. This is when Solene discovers that life under his spotlight might be more than what she expected.
Watch The Idea of You on Amazon prime.
