Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
The romance genre has been quiet as of late. But “Materialists” might be enough to satisfy those looking for a harsh look at modern dating. An ambitious matchmaker living in New York City is very good at her job. She has a knack for recognizing opportunity and finding different ways to pair people together. But she struggles with her own dating life, going on and off with her ex boyfriend who doesn’t meet her financial needs. She also has a new admirer who fulfills those ambitions, yet lacks a deeper emotional connection. Lucy finds herself in a love triangle, forcing her to evaluate what she values most. Can she solve her own dating puzzle in the midst of being the perfect matchmaker?
Positives:
The premise of “Materialists” instantly had me intrigued. Due to the strange nature of modern dating, I was curious what director Celine Song was cooking. Being a former matchmaker herself, she brings a unique perspective to the current dating environment. She highlights the awkwardness well, oftentimes being vulnerable with a complete stranger where each party knows little to nothing about the other. She also pinpoints the many complexities in the modern dating world. People get frustrated with striking out and wasting their time, simultaneously wondering if they are the problem. They also contemplate if the rest of the dating pool is good enough for them. Yes, it IS that complex! Each idiosyncrasy is examined in a raw, unfiltered way, leaving audiences to a fresh story with timely subject matter. I really enjoyed how Celine Song didn’t pull any punches, offering audiences a look at characters who present themselves flaws and all. I’m glad that we really got to understand these characters, figuring out what makes them tick and why they seek out the types of relationships they do. The film forces audiences to watch characters open up about preferences, tendencies, and non-negotiables when seeking out a partner. It may seem selfish in certain ways, but it is how many of us operate. I enjoyed seeing a realistic approach even if it made some of Lucy’s clients appear pompous and judgemental. A tight script and a strong screenplay help “Materialists” be one of the most impressive stories of the year so far.
These characters wouldn’t have been brought to life without some strong performances. Dakota Johnson turns in a career best performance as Lucy. She conveys the selfish nature of her character while also displaying a tender side. There is more than meets the eye with Lucy as we dive deeper into her personal life throughout the film. We see this even more so when one of her clients experiences a traumatic event on one of her dates, forcing Lucy to question her place as a matchmaker. Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal also mix up their standard roles for characters that feel more down to earth. They play completely opposite personalities with different strengths and weaknesses. It’s interesting to see how they both perceive Lucy and where they connect with her. This made me think about the many conversations I’ve had about modern dating over the years. As the film goes on, it’s refreshing to see a film unconcerned with what the standard formula for a romance film has to say, wiping the slate clean for something fresh and inventive.
Negatives:
“Materialists” is a strong film for most of its runtime. But it stumbles in the final thirty minutes, falling into the traps that most romance films do. After one of the storylines is closed in the middle of the film, it’s pretty clear where the story is headed after that. I would have liked to see the love triangle explored a bit longer, forcing Lucy to examine herself further. There is also a controversy that happens with one of Lucy’s clients in the second half of the film. Personally, I feel as though the film put too much of the blame on Lucy. Being in the profession she’s in, there is no way to perfectly screen people before they are set up with clients. Her guilt made sense but I didn’t feel she was fully to blame. While the resolution makes sense and feels right, I couldn’t help but feel like it was extended too long. I expected the film to end a few times before it did. By the time the story concluded, it felt overlong and redundant. But even so, I really enjoyed seeing a character driven film that takes risks and provides an interesting (if uncomfortable) look at the modern dating scene.
Conclusion:
I really enjoyed “Materialists”. While it feels overlong by the end, it manages to keep our attention by diving into modern dating head on. It doesn’t pull any punches, examining the uncomfortable nature of being honest with someone about what a client wants in a partner. At the same time, the story is character driven. Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal all deliver terrific performances here. For those who have ever struggled with the online dating scene or the uncertainties of giving a stranger a chance, this film will likely touch a nerve. I’d say going through urban dating will elevate that feeling even more. This is a unique story that is well worth checking out!
