MATERIALISTS
Running time: 116 minutes. Rated R (language and brief sexual material). In theaters.
Materialists: A Film Review
Watching “Materialists” is akin to embarking on a turbulent first date—suspenseful, awkward, yet inexplicably fascinating. It poses a question that lingers long after the credits roll: What happens when romantic expectations clash with harsh realities?
The Script: A Love Triangle with a Twist
At the helm is Celine Song, the acclaimed writer-director of Past Lives. Instead of crafting heartfelt exchanges, she offers a love triangle that feels more contrived than compelling. The dynamic between these characters—played by Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans—struggles to ignite any spark. Johnson portrays Lucy, a jaded matchmaker who sees her profession as a mathematical equation for love rather than a heartfelt endeavor.
“If you answered ‘all of the above,’ you’re correct.” This blunt acknowledgment reflects the film’s intent to challenge conventional romantic comedy narratives, opting for a darker, more cynical lens on love.
Characters and Their Flaws
Lucy, driven by her obsession with wealth and status, embodies the modern-day romance vacuum. She meets Harry (Pascal) at a lavish wedding, enticingly confident and equipped with financial prowess. Yet, her past reemerges in the form of John (Evans), a former flame with far less to offer financially. Who will she choose?
The film starts with a bubbly familiarity reminiscent of iconic rom-coms like The Wedding Planner. However, as the plot unfolds, a sense of darkness and foreboding looms. Lucy’s profession is reduced to cold calculations: “It’s math.” This premise invites viewers to ponder the implications of superficiality in contemporary relationships.
Cinematic Observations and Underlying Themes
Despite its familiar setup, Materialists effectively critiques modern courtship. Lucy’s clinical approach mirrors the app-driven dating culture that defines relationships today. With every observation, the film makes a poignant statement: Looks and money dominate the dating landscape.
Yet, her clients barely offer emotional depth, rendering them as unlikable as possible. The story, intended to convey that genuine love transcends numbers, instead reinforces how lonely and brutal the dating world can be. As Lucy grapples with the complexities of attraction, we are left pondering whether we, too, are merely statistics in a romantic equation.
Ambition vs. Execution: A Disconnect
As the film becomes more ambitious, it falters. A traumatic turning point introduces elements of realism that the preceding narrative struggles to accommodate. While Song’s ambition to subvert genre norms is commendable, the journey is narratively messy and lacks the finesse that marked Past Lives.
"You can sense Song trying very hard to reach her ultimately unsatisfying and not-so-insightful end destination."
Performances: A Mixed Bag
Dakota Johnson, stepping away from the constraints of “Madame Web,” delivers a performance that oscillates from engaging to wooden. She portrays Lucy with a distant detachment, which often hinders the character’s relatability. Similarly, while Pascal and Evans deliver commendable performances, the chemistry among the trio is disappointingly lackluster.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity
In an attempt to challenge traditional romantic norms, “Materialists” ends up as a blunt and uninspired affair. While it raises intriguing questions about what love means in a commodified world, it fails to provide a satisfying exploration of those themes. For viewers yearning for the emotional depth of Past Lives, this film might feel like a stepping stone—an uneven one at that.
Ultimately, Materialists serves as a wake-up call, reminding audiences that romance isn’t merely a calculation; it’s an unpredictable journey rife with inexpressible joy, heartbreak, and ultimately… human connection.
To dive deeper into the world of romantic storytelling and character development, check out Film School Rejects for more reviews and insights.
