Anne Hathaway Wanted to ‘Tell the Story of a Woman Blooming’ in The Idea of You: ‘Incredibly Moved’ (Exclusive)

Anne Hathaway may not be dating a boy band member in real life, but that hasn’t stopped her from finding bits of herself in her character in The idea of ​​you.

At the SXSW premiere of the highly anticipated film, an adaptation of Robinne Lee’s 2017 novel of the same name, the 41-year-old actress tells PEOPLE that both she and her character, Soléne, consider themselves “adventurous” when it comes to love as she reflects on why she was making the film so important.

“At the beginning of the film, the character…she’s really afraid to go on that adventure because she had such a difficult experience with her ex-husband. “For me, I was incredibly moved by the opportunity to tell the story of a woman who flourishes,” says Hathaway.

IN The idea of ​​youdivorcee Soléne finds love in Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), a boy band member nearly two decades her junior, and Hathaway says it was “a real thrill to be part of the team bringing this to life.”

“I don’t know why we don’t have more stories about human beings who flourish at any age. We’re always maturing, all the time,” she notes.

The idea of ​​you Trailer: Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine Get Immersed in Steamy Romance

Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway at the SXSW premiere of ‘The Idea of ​​You’ in Austin, Texas.

Michael Buckner/SXSW Conference and Festivals via Getty

After a screening of the film at the festival’s closing night in Austin, Texas, Hathaway, Galitzine, 29, and several other cast members including Ella Rubin and Reid Scott — who play Soléne’s daughter Isabelle and ex-husband Daniel, respectively — talked about the film. film during a moderated question and answer session.

Hathaway became emotional as she reflected on her character and the audience’s reaction to the film. “You have no idea what a gift you just gave us by your response to this, by being so connected to every little nuance in this,” she said. “I will never forget this screening.”

“I wanted to make this movie because it was a great piece and a fun premise, and for some reason we talk about coming-of-age stories as something that happens to you in the earliest parts of your life, and I don’t know about you, but I feel like to continue to flourish,” she continued to thunderous applause. “And I thought this movie had the ability to do that.”

Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway at the SXSW premiere of ‘The Idea of ​​You’ on March 16, 2024.

Michael Buckner/SXSW Conference and Festivals via Getty

The film sees Soléne unexpectedly find love in Hayes after taking her teenage daughter to Coachella when her ex-husband backed out of the trip at the last minute. There’s an “instant, undeniable spark” between the two after they first meet, and they begin a “whirlwind romance,” according to the synopsis.

However, “it’s not long before Hayes’ superstar status presents inevitable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life under the glare of his spotlight may be more than she bargained for.”

Hathaway said at the premiere that she and Galitzine had something of a “bonding ritual” on their first day on set as they shot a bunch of romantic scenes during 20-hour days.

“Nick and I had to jump into the ice-cold water and when we both got in, we just looked at each other and we were like, ‘We’re doing this, okay. We’re both shaking, but we’ve got to make this super sexy.’ And together we found our quiver, sexy,” she recalled the moment with her Costa Rican and romantic interest.

“And at one point we just looked at each other and we hugged each other for warmth and, I don’t know, but from that moment, until the last moment about 20 hours later, I just looked at him, and I said: “In good I’m on my own with this one. I have a great partner. It couldn’t have been a better fit.” And I still feel that way,” she continued.

Is The idea of ​​you Based on Harry Styles? Reference parsing

Hours before the film premiered at SXSW on Saturday, Deadline reported that the trailer for the film, which was released earlier this month, had become the most-watched trailer for an original streaming film with a whopping 125 million views worldwide.

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The idea of ​​you premieres on Prime Video on May 2.

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Source: HIS Education