As the credits rolled on Materialists, my mind was buzzing. But before I could write down my thoughts, I was drawn into a discussion with a few strangers outside the theatre. A realistic, honest, yet hopeful exploration of love, value, and self-worth, “Materialists” asks the audience to reflect on their own experiences. How do we look at love and relationships in the modern day? How does our perception of ourselves get in the way of finding love? Writer and Director Celine Song goes deeper than a typical romcom, delivering a moving and romantic story told through a beautiful visual experience.
The “Love Triangle”
“Materialists” is about a young, ambitious matchmaker in New York City, torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. But is this movie really about the “love triangle?” While the story revolves around Lucy (Dakota Johnson), it isn’t about who she chooses (or should choose). The song subverts our expectations of traditional rom-coms, which would pit these two men against each other, with Lucy weighing the potential lives they each offer her. Love or money? Stability or adventure?
In reality, it’s a story about Lucy’s journey and coming to terms with herself and what she really wants. Song goes deeper, delivering a moving story with heartfelt, raw conversations that are grounded in a way that’s refreshing. It has us falling in love with, and rooting for every character to get the love they truly want. And while this story is more elevated and quieter in its declarations of love, it’s no less moving.
Are We Deserving of Love?
Some of the most moving conversations are characters expressing this sentiment. Grappling with what they want and what they think they deserve. And that’s the crux of the story: how we view ourselves, how we view love, and our perception of what we value and deserve shapes our relationships.
Lucy is good at understanding those around her and coaching them through their search for love. But when it comes to her own love life, she tells herself she’ll either “marry rich or die alone”. Yet when presented with an eligible, rich, interested bachelor in Harry Castillo (Pedro Pascal), she tries convincing him she’s not what he wants and doesn’t invest emotionally. And when John (Chris Evans) comes back into her life, she keeps him at arm’s length, convinced she’s a “horrible person” because she’s too concerned about money. Lucy’s built an idea of herself and what she wants that’s different from what she truly, at her heart, desires. And it holds her back.
Even when we as humans think we understand ourselves, our perceptions of what we deserve and who we are play a huge role in our relationships.
Achingly Vulnerable Performances
The performances in “Materialists” are sublime. Dakota Johnson is unfiltered as Lucy, and you can’t help but find her endearing. She’s confident, pragmatic, and while her sales pitch is refined to draw in potential clients, you can tell Lucy believes what she says and is a romantic at heart. Johnson brings Lucy to life as she tries to figure out what she wants and wrestles with her idea of love along the way.
Chris Evans is back in his romcom element, playing the sensitive, messy John. A true romantic at heart, the depth of John’s love is admirable. He’s as passionate about his pursuit of acting as he is about Lucy. Evans really makes you believe in love with the conviction in his performance. His monologue to Lucy about what he envisions in her is going to to go down as one of the most emotional declarations of love.
Pedro Pascal is magnetic with his nuanced, playful, yet grounded performance with Harry. From the moment he glides on screen, Harry is charming with a quiet, calm confidence that comes from self assuredness. It’s clear Harry is self aware, knows what he wants, and is emotionally intelligent, able to read and understand people. Pascal subtly adds this underlying vulnerability, insecurity, and hope in his performance that gives depth to Harry despite the limited time we have with him. His final monologue is so raw and emotional and real. A stellar performance as expected from the talented Pascal.
And while the main 3 characters are incredible, Zoe Winters deserves her own flowers for her performance as Sophie. From the first scene she radiates hope and heartfelt desire for connection. She draws you in with her resilience in the face of rejection and has you captivated by her painful monologue when she confronts Lucy after a horrific experience. Winters delivers the most heartbreaking of journeys as Sophie and does so in a powerful way.
Sparking Conversation
One of the most interesting things about “Materialists” is the conversations and depth of conversations this movie sparks. It’s not about “Harry vs John,” it’s not about who’s better for her or who she should choose. It’s about what love means to us. What dating is like in the modern world. The reality of the conversations and situations we see on screen parallels our real lives.
“Materialists” is really a catalyst for examining our own experiences, thoughts, and expectations around modern dating and how we value love. And in pursuit of love, we see examples of the extremes, some with laundry lists of specific asks or contradicting requirements, while others shrink themselves to simply “settle”.
Standing outside the theater, The depth and breadth of conversation from this movie was such a highlight. Chatting about the relatability of certain scenes and conversations, the way we view and pursue love, and how our own views and perceptions of ourselves shape our relationships/experiences. There was also the realities and perils of modern dating that were a little too real.
Great stories are catalysts for conversation and introspection after all.
The Visual Beauty of Materialists
Another strength of “Materialists” is the beautiful way the story was told. The cinematography, sound design, and editing all come together to create a visually engaging experience. The blocking used in many scenes and sequences was dynamic and engaging, the color grading is beautiful, and several scene transitions created the right punch. The details felt deliberate and thoughtful, and you can see the care that Song puts into the visual storytelling of this film.
A moving romantic story that’s grounded in a way that’s refreshing way, Materialists hits theaters June 13th.
