Anne Hathaway Shares How Motherhood Helped Her in ‘The Idea of You’

Anne Hathaway is opening up about how being a mom helped her in her latest role.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at The Idea of You premiere in New York City on April 29, Hathaway, 41, shared that the love she feels for her own children — sons Jonathan, 8, and Jack, 4, who she shares with her husband Adam Shulman — helped her to understand her character Solène.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to be a mother to play a mother. I think that should be open to lots of different actors,” Hathaway tells PEOPLE. “But for me, in terms of understanding the depth of love that you can feel for this person and what you would be willing to do, I felt like it allowed the love for Hayes to be even bigger for Solène because she loves her daughter more than anything.”

“I mean, we love our children beyond words and for her to choose her daughter over him, I don’t know, it just made their love that much more important,” she adds.

In the romantic comedy, Hathaway plays a 40-year-old divorced mother who strikes up an unexpected romance with a young pop star (Nicholas Galitzine) called Hayes after meeting him at Coachella.

The movie is based on Robinne Lee’s novel of the same name and is rumored to be inspired by Harry Styles fan fiction.

Speaking about her favorite scene, Hathaway tells PEOPLE, “I loved the scene where she shows him art. It’s beautifully described. I mean, I love this book. I love this book.”

“And so that one, just kind of seeing … And getting to do it with Nick who’s such a great partner, that was amazing,” she adds. “And I have to say the ending.”

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At the film’s premiere, Hathaway sported a red strapless gown with cutouts under the bust line as she posed with her costar Galitzine, 29.

The Witches star also wore a pair of silver drop earrings with green accents and silver rings on both hands, while her hair had been styled into a ponytail with loose bangs.

The Idea of You is set to be released on Amazon Prime Video on May 2, 2024.