Materialists Review
Billed as a rom-com, Materialists is a lot more nuanced, and affecting.
Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a matchmaker in New York City. When she attends the wedding of one of her matches, she meets Harry (Pedro Pascal) - a fabulously wealthy banker. She also runs into her ex-boyfriend John (Chris Evans), who is waiting tables at the event as he continues to try and jumpstart his acting career. As her relationship with Harry begins to take off, she also starts to reconnect with John - until a drama at work causes her to question what she really wants in life.
Materialists is a film that really sold itself as something it is not. This is no bog-standard rom-com, with a woman choosing between two hunky guys. Celine Song’s sophomore feature instead examines the differences between love, and the calculations we make in deciding on a relationship, and how at times they can be so at odds.
The film tackles such subject matter with nuance, and subtlety. It also filters in quite an affecting plot to do with an experience one of Lucy’s clients has, which can really tear at the heartstrings at times and add a layer of complexity to the film that elevates.
This is a restrained film, certainly, but it’s one that is anchored in some wonderful performances. Pedro Pascal is utterly charming as a rich, swaggering, over 6 ft man, and Chris Evans returns to some of the more lovable goofball roles he did before Captain America. Dakota Johnson is the real standout; her performance a wonderful blend of emotional, nuanced drama, sensuality, and her trademark dry wit.
Materialists is a beautiful film as well; the cinematography, colouring and set design makes the film feel lush, immersive and also quite real. It’s glossy, but not in the way of a typical rom-com; more of a polished drama look.
Ultimately, the thing that let’s Materialists down is only a sense that perhaps some of the rom-com elements that have been eschewed would have been welcomed. Particularly, the connection between the romantic interests. While Lucy and Harry have moments where you get to see inside their psyche (a lovely scene where they monologue at each other over dinner about the state of their relationship is a real highlight), John and Lucy’s relationship isn’t really explored in the depth it needs to be to make the eventual outcome feel the way we as the audience want it to. Sure, we understand we should be happy - but the tears of joy or of sadness never come, because the film is a little too subtle for its own good.
