Opening June 13: “Materialists” Is the Romantic Comedy We’ve Been Searching For
Intelligent, sensual, and a whole lot of fun
Going into “Materialists,” I wondered when was it that the genre of romantic comedy had come to what feels like a dead stop. These types of movies used to pop up in theaters multiple times a month, back when studios made movies for women audiences. But somewhere in the last two decades they turned cheap and misanthropic, became relegated to streaming, and the entire genre became too intimidating for Hollywood to approach post #MeToo. Even in films outside of the genre, romance between the characters onscreen has felt like a relic of the past.
Lucky for us, there are still filmmakers like Celine Song, who brings us a film that is romantic and funny, yes, but most of all intelligent and mature. Following up her debut in 2023 with “Past Lives,” this writer/director is proof that romantics are not an extinct species. Not since Richard Linklater’s “Before Midnight” have we gotten to see a movie dive so deeply into the philosophy of love without leaving its audience feeling hopeless and cold. It is made honestly; that it is fun and sexy is really just a nice bonus.
Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a single professional in New York and the shining star at a luxury matchmaking agency. Just by that sentence you can probably guess that she’ll spend the movie picking between two suitors: Harry (Pedro Pascal), a tall, rich man who can provide her with a comfortable lifestyle, and her ex-boyfriend John (Chris Evans), who is still a poor struggling actor living with roommates even as he approaches 40. Both actors are as charismatic as ever, and some viewers will be content fantasizing over whom they’re more attracted to. Familiar territory, sure, but the way Song explores Lucy’s crossroads is refreshingly original.
The clients Lucy serves provide the film with a lot of comedic observations, and she guides them like a therapist despite having more in common with a salesperson. She describes every relationship as a transaction, but her explanation of why is one you can’t entirely disagree with. The lines separating attraction, love, dating and marriage are sought after and often described as bluntly as possible. Lucy’s cold, binary thinking as a matchmaker often results in a deadpan perspective that will be therapeutic for anyone who has found themselves on a bad date. It would have been easy for the character to become a parody of herself, but Johnson keeps Lucy appropriately grounded.
Song’s script makes the bold choice of treating its characters as (gasp!) emotionally intelligent people. It is so nice to see a story such as this that still takes time to have fun, while avoiding clichéd misunderstandings that manufacture cheap drama. “Materialists” is much more concerned with creating a dialogue surrounding long-term relationships. It asks questions of love that exist beyond the film’s runtime. Eventually a plot does creep in to move its characters towards an obligatory conclusion, but it is one that feels naturally integrated to the state of modern dating. And when two characters do break up, it’s not through a shallow argument but instead a quiet, sad realization for both parties that bleeds out to the audience.
Beyond the intelligence, it’s easy to be seduced by “Materialists.” Song steers her characters through lavish weddings, a huge penthouse, and places of fine-dining that make it impossible not to get at least partially swept-up. This is the New York you dream about. It’s not quite the 16mm hug from “Past Lives,” but Song still knows that the most intimate moments don’t happen in bed, but rather when sitting across from someone and allowing your entire soul to be on display for them. The sensuality that Johnson shares with both Evans and Pascal is food for the soul. There are far worse things to look at for two hours.
Love is still the great mystery by the time the film closes, but the points Song make leave more of an impact than the vain swing many films in this genre (used to) attempt. I can see people responding to it regardless of their relationship status. For some couples it will be a reminder of why they stay together, but for others it may be the starting point for reflection. Those who are single may treat it as a romantic fantasy, but others will have their eyes opened to how they treat others. However, I think everyone will walk away echoing the words of one of Lucy’s clients: “I am not worthless. I am worthy of love.”
“Materialists” opens in theaters Friday, June 13.