‘Materialists’ Review: A Sharp Update on the Romantic Comedy
Celine Song’s “Materialists” delivers a sharp, modern twist on romantic comedy, reflecting the complexities of love, desire, and personal ambition in today’s world. A follow-up to her critically acclaimed Past Lives, this film is a thought-provoking exploration of the transactional nature of relationships, masterfully combining humor and grit with a touch of melancholy.
Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a professional matchmaker whose perfect, organized life is about to take a surprising turn. She’s all about finding compatible couples—until she finds herself at the center of a love triangle involving two very different men: Pedro Pascal’s Harry, the suave, wealthy bachelor, and Chris Evans’s John, a more grounded, slightly broken figure from her past.
A Modern Take on Love and Transaction
At its core, Materialists isn’t just about romance—it’s about the business of romance. Lucy is a matchmaker who views relationships through a professional lens, treating love as a transaction between buyers and sellers. The men she pairs off with her clients often come with explicit lists of criteria—height, weight, hair type, and age. This echoes the commodification of relationships in today’s online dating app era.
Song’s take on romance is refreshingly candid. It features sharp dialogue and a biting critique of how our modern world reduces even love to market value. In a pivotal scene, a client remarks, “She’s 40 and fat,” a moment that not only shocks but serves as a stark commentary on societal expectations and body image.
The Charm of Pascal and Evans
Materialists benefits from strong performances. Particularly, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans bring charisma and emotional depth to their roles. Pascal’s Harry is effortlessly charming and likable, despite his wealth and status. His smooth-talking confidence contrasts beautifully with Evans’ portrayal of John, who carries a more emotionally bruised persona. Evans’ vulnerability adds a layer of complexity to what might otherwise have been a simple romantic lead, making John both sympathetic and relatable.
Johnson’s Star Turn as Lucy
As Lucy, Dakota Johnson gives a standout performance that brings both warmth and depth to a character who could have easily become one-dimensional. Johnson’s ability to convey Lucy’s contradictions—her detached professionalism and the yearning she hides beneath—is captivating. The film leans heavily on her presence, and she carries the weight of the film’s complex themes with ease, bringing humanity to a character who often seems more concerned with business than with her own emotions.
Critique of the Genre
While Materialists deconstructs the classic romantic comedy, it doesn’t always tie together its complex themes. The introduction of a subplot involving sexual assault, while important politically, doesn’t fully mesh with the rest of the narrative. Song tackles the difficulties of navigating a romantic comedy in today’s world—where relationships are often reduced to their economic and emotional costs—but at times, the film’s heavy themes overshadow the lightness that the genre is known for.
Final Thoughts
Materialists is a bold, contemporary take on the romantic comedy genre. Celine Song’s exploration of love in the modern world is both honest and thought-provoking, offering a critique of the commodification of relationships while still delivering a story full of heart. The film succeeds in capturing the emotional complexity of modern love, making it one of the most compelling rom-coms in recent memory. It’s not just about finding a happy ending. But it’s also about understanding what love means in a world that often treats it as just another transaction.
More…
