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The sizzling chemistry between Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway in "The Idea of You" trailer was enough to propel it to record-breaking views. But the movie isn't just spicy for the sake of it, according to Galitzine.
On the red carpet for the film's March premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival, the actor reflected on the sex scenes he's done so far in his career and specifically praised the ones he and Hathaway did in "The Idea of You."
"I've been very fortunate in the last years with different projects to have done some intimate scenes in my work," he told Business Insider. "I think they can oftentimes — and I like to think in my own work — serve a real purpose."
Galitzine, who also recently starred in the orgy-filled historical drama "Mary & George" opposite Julianne Moore and previously had a lead role in the R-rated romantic comedy "Red, White, and Royal Blue," explained that the intimate scenes in "The Idea of You" helped him and Hathaway build out their characters' bond.
"We were so in love with our characters and their relationship," Galitzine said. "I think we express a lot of love and a lot of connection in those scenes."
In "The Idea of You," based on the novel of the same name by Robinne Lee, Hathaway plays Solène Marchand, a 40-year-old single mom who embarks on a passionate relationship with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), a 24-year-old singer in a wildly popular boyband, after a meet-cute at Coachella.
Galitzine got to work with Hathaway for the first time on "The Idea of You" and told BI it was a great experience in more ways than one.
"I mean this in the best way, but what a wonderful nerd she is," he said. "She's so well-read. The sheer amount of poetry and literature that she shared with me… On top of the joy of being able to act with her, I feel like I got an education as well."
Hathaway also recently discussed the film's sex scenes in an interview with Variety, explaining that she was inspired by the way Solène's pleasure was represented in the novel.
"In the book, Robinne describes intimate acts with the most unbelievable energy. In their first physical sexual connection, Hayes brings Solène to orgasm while [she is fully] clothed," Hathaway said. "That became our North Star in terms of expressing cinematic sex in a way that makes it about her pleasure, while also making the point that a huge part of pleasure is giving someone else pleasure."
"The Idea of You" premieres exclusively on Prime Video on Thursday.
