Materialists
Meet your match with Celine Song’s newest romantic dramedy
Creating timeless romantic comedies in this modern age seems to be impossible. Many have tried and failed, with only a handful of memorable films making the cut. Director Celine Song has managed to impress audiences with her romantic chops twice now, with her sophomore film Materialists already making waves as the next rom-com classic.
Expert matchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is coined the ‘eternal bachelorette’ with only one non-negotiable when it comes to dating. The man must be rich. She seems happy alone until Harry (Pedro Pascal) comes along and tears down her walls. It’s not without drama though, as her ex-boyfriend John stumbles back into her life and shows us all the reasons why Lucy has her standards.
Lucy isn’t judged for her desires, nor is she painted as a gold digger. Her worldview is painted on the truth that we all have boxes we want to tick when finding a partner. They have to be funny, cute, smart, tall, mega rich, hates cats, hates dogs, hell maybe you want them to a pirate! So when Lucy meets Harry, she’s certain they won’t work. Not only is he rich, he’s sweet and incredibly attractive. He’s a unicorn, and Lucy is not worthy of him. Then there’s John, he and Lucy have a history of cheap dinners and fights in the street. He’s a theatre actor and cater waiter who, at nearly 40 years old, still lives with roommates. But, under the surface is a charming guy with not much to offer, except a whole lot of love.
This love triangle is predictable but Song’s impeccable writing and gentle approach to directing does the trick to reel you in and inevitably make you cry. While it draws on those mid 2000s rom-com tropes, it holds up as a fantastic original film. There’s a glow about it that is comforting but also cynical at times; hiding its pain behind comedic frills. It’s a sophisticated film that audiences of any generation can, and will, relate to. From Gen Z’ers like me complaining about the modern world of dating, to millennials trying to find a man their age that doesn’t just want a skinny 23-year-old. Materialists shows that finding your person isn’t an easy task, but one worth fighting for.
The chemistry between Dakota Johnson and her male counterparts is also palpable, and while I’m not always convinced Johnson is a very good actress, this role fits her so well. Chris Evans is also given ample opportunity to provide a unique performance that we haven’t seen from him since Knives Out in 2019.
Celine Song deconstructs what we know about love and rebuilds it similar to how she does in her previous film, Past Lives. These two films are in conversation with each other due to their leads being tethered to each other through space and time. It’s a nice feeling to know that you and your soulmate were destined to be together, having done so since the beginning of time. Past Lives sets that idea up, Materialists brings it home.
So, take your tissues & your best friend (or loved one) and go see Materialists. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you remember to see the love in everyone around you.
Materialists is in Australian cinemas now!
