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With: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Annie Mumolo, Reid Scott, Perry Mattfeld, Jordan Aaron Hall, Mathilda Gianopoulos, Meg Millidge, Cheech Manohar, Raymond Cham Jr., Jaiden Anthony, Viktor White, Dakota Adan, Roxy Rivera, Graham Norton, Brent Bailey, Nina Bloomgarden
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Written by: Michael Showalter, Jennifer Westfeldt, based on a novel by Robinne Lee
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Directed by: Michael Showalter
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MPAA Rating: R for some language and sexual content
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Running Time: 116
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Date: 05/02/2024
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Boy Toy
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
Anne Hathaway's charm anchors this romantic comedy, which begins as a formulaic mess, but winds up a genuinely heartfelt story, centered on its characters and not on its gimmick. Hathaway plays Solène, a forty-year-old single mom, who somehow makes a living running an art gallery (and is able to employ two others). Her flaky ex-husband (Reid Scott) has arranged to take their teen daughter (Ella Rubin) to see August Moon, a super-hot boy band, complete with backstage passes. When he cancels, Solène must be the chaperone. While looking for a restroom — not kidding — she stumbles into the trailer of August Moon singer Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine). It's a pretty dumb "meet cute," but it works because the actors sell it; they have the necessary charisma and the tenderness. What follows is predictable, but still fresh. They try to keep the relationship secret, while Solène struggles with their age difference and Hayes's fame, while Hayes struggles with his "art" (he, of course, longs to write and sing more meaningful songs). Yet by the end, I was fully rooting for these two. It's based on a novel by Robinne Lee. Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, The Lovebirds) directed.
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