But I think this adds to the layers. They are both confused and lonely and unsure of what’s next, one at the beginning of her career and one near the end. They recognize a bit of themselves in each other and also their need for love and acceptance. The little bit of physical stuff between them comes across as awkward because they then realize that even they mistook their feelings briefly for sexual attraction but it was actually more existential than that. In a way this reveals them both a little more innocent and unsure of themselves, which ultimately made it endearing.
While a big age difference can be suggestive of predatory behavior, Bill’s character never came across that way. This is definitely an edge that Sofia Coppola skirted and I’m not sure if a male director could do it as deftly.