Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway serve up steamy romance drama in The Thought of You. (Prime Video)
Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway have spectacular chemistry on this candy however contrived new Prime Video adaptation.
The Thought of You isn’t Galitzine’s first time on the Prime Video rodeo, following his scorching function as Prince Henry in final yr’s queer romance, Pink, White & Royal Blue.
It was a shocking hit for a straight-to-streaming LGBTQ+ launch, topping Prime’s personal charts and turning into one of many yr’s favorite movies.
Evidently, the platform has tried to emulate that success with The Thought To You, one other saccharine TikTok-famous novel (this time from actress and creator Robinne Lee) adaptation about star-crossed lovers within the merciless digital age. A sure-fire win.
And The Thought of You is a win, arguably. Initially, it’s a win for Galitzine, who, over the previous 12 months, has secured his standing as considered one of Hollywood’s most in-demand heartthrobs.
Since August, he’s “bedded” the son of a president (Pink, White & Royal Blue), topped a British monarch (Mary & George), and now, shifting away from homosexual roles, he’s seducing middle-aged divorcée and artwork gallery proprietor Solène Marchand, performed by Hathaway.
Chatting with Out about taking up each homosexual and straight roles, he mentioned: “It’s nearly enjoying characters I reply to, well-written characters. That’s actually how I made a decision to decide on my tasks.”
“I’ve been so floored within the [past] few years that individuals have consumed my content material, have actually supported me and pushed me ahead in my profession. I really feel very fortunate that I’ve performed roles that resonate with individuals and imply one thing to individuals [and which have been] splendidly textured, enjoyable characters to play.”
His newest character, Hayes Campbell, the 24-year-old frontman of boyband August Moon – and under no circumstances impressed by One Route’s Harry Kinds – falls for 40-year-old Solène after they stumble upon one another backstage at Coachella. He’s performing there whereas Solène’s daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) wants a pageant chaperone.
Thus begins a harmful love affair hidden from the world – ought to individuals discover out, their misogynistic brains will certainly explode after seeing an older girl being swept away by a profitable mid-twenties dreamboat. Solène jets off with Hayes, and their ardour erupts in resort rooms, on seashores and by the pool.
Hayes simmers with himbo vitality, whether or not when sending late-night “must see u once more” texts to Solène, ordering rooster tenders for dinner, or being – in her phrases – a “f**kboy”. With this function beneath his belt, plus his flip as fool soccer participant Jeff in final yr’s lesbian comedy romp Bottoms, it seems like a task Galitzine might be spearheading for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, he does it effectively.
As for Hathaway, she’s as charming as ever: her decades-long appearing expertise takes The Thought Of You from mushy streaming fodder to a believable, could-have-been cinema seat-filler, à la Anybody However You. She and Galitzine have real chemistry, and that too feels just like the distinction between this being a low-brow cringe and a fairly pleasurable, square-cut romance.
That’s to not say The Thought of You is completely devoid of cringe: depictions of Hayes’ superstar are too hammed as much as take severely, and a few dialogue across the movie’s key messages – why are we so obsessive about age gaps, why are patriarchal expectations of ladies so grim? – is a bit a lot. There’s a really clever story in there, but it surely’s not at all times executed effectively, and the story’s conclusion is very irritating.
However The Thought of You is aware of what it’s meant to be, and that’s not Romeo & Juliet reimagined. It’s not cinematic genius, however in case you get pleasure from getting misplaced in non-sensical romantic fan-fiction repurposed for streaming subscribers, this might be two hours very effectively spent.
The Thought of You is streaming on Prime Video now.