Materialists (2025) - Film Review

      Materialists, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Celine Song.

      Featuring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Zoe Winters, Marin Ireland, Dasha Nekrasova, Emmy Wheeler, Louisa Jacobson, Eddie Cahill, Sawyer Spielberg, Joseph Lee, John Magaro, Nedra Marie Taylor, Sietzka Rose, Halley Feiffer, Madeline Wise, Ian Stuart, Dan Domenech, Emiliano Díez, Rachel Zeiger-Haag, Alison Bartlett, Lindsey Broad, and Baby Rose.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A young, driven matchmaker in New York City finds herself caught between her ideal match and her flawed ex.

      Celine Song's second feature, aptly named Materialists, begins by examining the world's first settlers and a possible original marriage proposal. As expected, this moment is free from the entitlement and greed that complicate today’s relationships. It opens with a calm, reflective scene that prompts thoughts on how modern dating has devolved. In present-day New York, Dakota Johnson’s character Lucy, a professional matchmaker, faces complaints from clients, ranging from a man shamefully critiquing his match's age and weight to a woman's fussiness over a two-inch height discrepancy.

      Lucy has successfully facilitated nine marriages, though one bride's heartbreaking reason for going through with her wedding highlights the film's theme in a single word. Nevertheless, Lucy navigates through numerous whiny clients with unrealistic expectations, providing Celine Song ample opportunity to humorously critique these absurdities through candid interviews where she learns what her clients truly desire. Beneath the comedy lies a profound truth: everyone seeks to feel valued.

      The harshness of contemporary dating has commodified this value, making relationships feel more transactional than romantic. At one point, Lucy compares her job to that of a mortician and a financier, scrutinizing her clients' attributes and social standings as she strives to create matches that are more logical than loving.

      A brief flashback reveals Lucy's past relationship with John (Chris Evans), an aspiring actor constantly dealing with financial instability. Their love falters due to monetary struggles that lead to frequent arguments, suggesting that while love may be absent, their disputes hint at something more substantial than merely meeting superficial requirements. Despite their history and occasional meetings (John works for a catering service at Lucy's weddings), their connection is put to the test when the wealthy Harry (Pedro Pascal) enters the scene, clarifying that any communication with Lucy won't be about matchmaking but rather a date.

      Harry isn’t just exceedingly wealthy, owning a $12 million apartment; he is labeled as a unicorn by the agency. He is well-educated, socially skilled, organized, impossibly attractive, embodying the ideal partner. Lucy is impressed by how effortlessly he pays for their meals, especially given her own financial struggles. She is also taken aback that Harry isn’t pursuing the youngest, most attractive, and affluent partner available, unlike his brother. This sparks the beginning of their relationship.

      Materialists may initially appear to follow a standard romantic comedy love triangle format, but it also examines the nature of relationships through various lenses, such as compatibility, physical appearance, and social class, with a refreshing authenticity that brings depth and emotional resonance.

      The three leads deliver remarkable performances; Dakota Johnson straddles the line between being self-centered and self-aware regarding Lucy’s profession, especially after a client’s wake-up call makes her confront the darker aspects of her job and the risks women face with strangers, reflecting the film's stark realism. As Lucy contemplates her past and reconciles the murky nature of her work—which often puts vulnerable women in harm's way—she undergoes a complex and gratifying character journey.

      Pedro Pascal unexpectedly provides a strikingly honest and vulnerable revelation, and the significance of his words, especially after the film spends time idealizing him, speaks volumes about the criticisms of matchmaking and modern dating that the film addresses. Additionally, Daniel Pemberton’s beautiful score enhances the more thought-provoking and emotionally impactful scenes. Some viewers might question the choice of Chris Evans as the average working man struggling to pursue his dreams, but this choice is likely intentional: if his character’s dating experiences are so tough, what does that reveal about the broader, ruthless dating climate?

      Celine Song adeptly weaves multiple narrative threads in Materialists, which primarily adhere to a familiar formula. Initially, Lucy’s personal dating struggles do not overshadow the sharp and comedic critique of contemporary dating. However, by the film's conclusion, the dynamics between the characters and select scenes resonate. This film becomes more enriching with each reflection, evoking memories of a time when love was less materialistic. What Celine Song has achieved may even inspire change in the most superficial individuals. She is, indeed, a filmmaking unicorn.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is part