“The Idea of You,” featuring Anne Hathaway,
Takes Georgia for a Californian Spin

“The Idea of You”: How Anne Hathaway and Team Turned Georgia
into a Californian Dream

Listen: The Idea of You

Summary

• “The Idea of You” primarily takes place in various picturesque locations in Georgia, despite its portrayal of quintessential California settings.
• Although efforts are made to mimic Californian landscapes, the unmistakable ambiance of Georgia’s humid sunshine and refreshing breeze can still be felt.

Despite its portrayal of quintessential California settings, “The Idea of You” primarily unfolds across various picturesque locations in Georgia. The creative efforts to mimic Californian landscapes, from desert plants adorning front yards to houses blanketed in vibrant Bougainvillea, can’t entirely mask the unmistakable ambiance of Georgia’s humid sunshine and the refreshing breeze rustling through its lush foliage.

This geographical sleight of hand hasn’t diminished Georgia’s charm in the slightest, especially as showcased in “The Idea of You.” This latest offering from Anne Hathaway, directed by Michael Showalter, made its debut on Prime Video following a premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival. In this compelling narrative, Georgia doubles as Los Angeles, New York, and even France, charting the unexpected romance between Solène Marchand, a fortysomething single mother portrayed by Hathaway, and Hayes Campbell, a 24-year-old pop star played by Nicholas Galitzine, propelling the drama into the spotlight as much as its titillating plot.

According to the film’s production designer, Amy Williams, in an interview with House Beautiful magazine, the movie carefully constructs its world through clever location choices in Georgia, despite its characters’ adventures through LA’s Silver Lake, the Coachella music festival, and the French Riviera. From an Airbnb in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland depicting Solène’s home to the Atlanta Motor Speedway standing in for Coachella, and a pool house in Atlanta masquerading as a French vacation spot, the essence of Georgia permeates through every scene.

Further blending reality and fiction, Atlanta’s locales convincingly substitute for diverse settings – the Atlanta Waterworks Park transforms into Solène’s jogging path, while a storefront in Candler Park serves as her LA gallery. Even Manhattan’s vibrant streets find a doppelganger in downtown Atlanta, with Savannah’s iconic waterfront setting the scene for a pivotal romantic moment.

In recounting the filming experience, Hathaway and her co-stars revealed to Atlanta’s Fox 5 the challenges of feigning desert warmth during a chilly North Georgia winter for the Coachella scenes. Yet, despite the cold, the set at the speedway was described as nothing short of magical.

Hathaway, celebrating five years of sobriety as mentioned in a New York Times interview, has also been seen enjoying her time in Atlanta while filming the upcoming sci-fi movie “Flowervale Street.”

Catch “The Idea of You,” now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, and immerse yourself in the enchanting misdirection where Georgia stands in for the world.