'Materialists': A Charming, Insightful Romantic Comedy

PHOTO: A24

Romantic comedies are pretty rare these days, as most major studios shy away from them in favor of huge blockbusters. So whenever a rom-com does come along, I can’t help but be intrigued and a little excited. I get a similar feeling when an upcoming director releases their second feature after their highly impressive debut. In both cases, I am usually optimistic, but I also know there is room for disappointment. After all, the rom-com genre can be hit or miss and directors don’t always live up to the promise found in their first features. So when it was announced that filmmaker Celine Song would be making a romantic comedy following the success of her first film, Past Lives, I felt an even larger combination of hope and skepticism towards it. As someone who loved Past Lives, I was stoked to see what Celine Song would do next but I was also unsure what a rom-com from her would look like. 

On its surface, Song’s second feature, Materialists, seems like a typical rom-com. You have a trio of good-looking actors starring in it, a bit of a love triangle at its center, and a sense of lightness that often comes with films of the genre. But the film actually ends up being a commentary on the value we as humans put on romantic relationships, and how this ultimately affects them. It may be a bit on the nose with what it has to say, but Song is able to weave everything into the conventions of a rom-com so well. It isn’t your typical romantic comedy, but it is a lovely little film that digs into the way people view relationships, and gets to the heart of what really matters within them.

Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is an accomplished matchmaker in New York City. She meets with clients and does her best to help them find their soulmate while also taking note of their specific, often superficial, preferences. At the wedding of one of her successful matches, she has a chance meeting with Harry (Pedro Pascal), the brother of the groom and a wealthy financier. Lucy sees him as a great candidate for the matchmaking service she works for, while Harry clearly has eyes for her. Their meet-cute is interrupted by John (Chris Evans), Lucy’s ex-boyfriend who just so happens to be working as a caterer at the wedding. These two moments set off a conundrum for Lucy, as she begins seeing Harry, but also finds herself reevaluating her feelings for John. As the film goes on, she becomes torn over what she values the most in relationships, and must decide whether Harry or John is her perfect match. 

Celine Song’s previous film, Past Lives, has a more melancholy tone, and I was a little surprised to see that this carries over to this film a little. Sure, Materialists is more upbeat by comparison, but there are moments where Song touches on ideas that feel true to life and shatters the rom-com fantasy that Lucy lives in for a good portion of the film. It begins feeling like we are about to watch a standard rom-com, but Song uses the tropes and storytelling structure of the genre to explore the reality that lies under its surface and comment on the outrageous expectations that many put on relationships. In a world where people are hung up on some of the more shallow aspects of a person, the film asks whether it is worth it to keep searching for that perfect romantic partner that checks every single box, or if it is better to make a few concessions and take a chance on someone you feel a genuine connection with. 

Many of the characters in the film, especially Lucy, Harry, and the characters that work at the matchmaking service sound like they’re talking business when they discuss relationships. There is talk of investments, value, and transactions throughout, showing a more detached view of relationships that mirrors real life perceptions of romance. It is a bit heightened in this case, as Song is trying to prove a point, but she makes it nonetheless. These moments border on satire, as the conversations being had feel a bit ridiculous, but Song filters them through her humanistic style to make them feel more realistic and not seem too cheesy. The film is pretty on the nose with its ideas, but that isn’t a bad thing here. Rom-coms are not exactly known for their subtlety, so it's understandable that Song would play into this here. She adapts her voice that she established in Past Lives to fit the genre without sacrificing too much of what makes her such a great writer in the process. Her dialogue is especially strong, as it somehow feels natural despite some of the stylization she employs. It finds a good medium between feeling true to the genre and feeling true to her and is a huge asset to the film as a whole. The plot itself is pretty solid, even if it loses focus at times. I kind of wish there was a bit more balance in regards to some of the storylines, but everything is still handled quite well and it all ends up in a great place. 

Song’s direction is also quite good, as she gives us a bit of the rom-com fantasy while also touching on very real things in relationships. Again, the film is a tiny bit heightened, but there is some genuine emotion and honesty that comes from it. This mainly comes through in the more dialogue heavy scenes, where she lays out most of her core ideas in the film. A lot of credit is due to her as a writer, but she also directs these scenes very well. She wears her heart on her sleeve with this film, which may turn some viewers off but I found to be quite effective in context. She always seeks out the truth in every scene and magnifies it to where it is clear as day. This doesn’t always yield the best results as some moments do feel a bit too obvious, but it largely works for what the film is ultimately saying. Her work here may not be as consistent as her work in Past Lives is, but it is still quality stuff and shows that she is extremely gifted when it comes to depicting romance on screen.

Considering that the love triangle between Lucy, John, and Harry is the central focus of the film, it is imperative that these roles are well cast. The film does just that with Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. Dakota Johnson has always been hit or miss for me, but this performance is definitely one of her best. There are a few moments where she does seem a little detached or flat, but the film really knows how to use her. She has this put-togetherness that works really well in the first section of the film, but it is when she is able to be more expressive and let her walls down that made me appreciate the performance more. Johnson also has good chemistry with Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, and shows that she has what it takes to be a rom-com star. 

As for the guys, Pedro Pascal is as charming as always and had me hanging on his every word. I’ve mainly seen him in action movies, so it is great to see him flex this muscle. He plays high status really well, but never comes across as a snob or a jerk. He is so likable, and he steals every scene he is in. I never thought of him as the type to do rom-coms, but I would love to see him play more romantic leads in the future. I was a bit skeptical when it came to Chris Evans, as his post-Marvel output has been pretty rough. Thankfully, this film shows that he still has the goods. Evans is a great contrast to Pascal, as his character is less polished and a bit of a loser. And yet, you can’t help but like him. Evans plays John rather realistically, making him feel more like a regular guy just trying to make it in New York. He really shines in the third act, where he gets a monologue that may be the best scene of the entire film. It’s the type of performance I’ve been wanting to see from him ever since he left the MCU, and it is easily the best work I’ve seen from him in a long time. 

Materialists is a bit of a throwback to the types of romantic comedies that were more plentiful in the 90s and 00s, yet has Celine Song’s sensibilities all over it. It is rather insightful, well-acted, and a delightful watch. It does have a few bumps along the way, but it is so charming and lovely that I didn’t mind them as much. This film asserts Song as a master of romantic films, and shows that she can adapt to different styles very well. It is such a heartwarming film, and left me with a big smile on my face. Materialists is light and breezy at times, but it is the bigger ideas that it reckons with that sets it apart and makes it more than your average rom-com.

Rating: 4/5