"Materialists" Review
Style over substance... but it works!
SPOILER FREE
I hate to admit it, but I am a basic bitch sometimes. I know this because Materialists was one of my most anticipated movies of the year. Between it being Celine Song’s follow-up to Past Lives and the stellar press tour, the hype was high. In reality, Materialists delivered on its vibes but maybe not its plot.
The movie follows New York City matchmaker Lucy as she navigates dating in the city for her clients—and eventually for herself. The movie introduces Lucy as an ambitious, pragmatic city girl who has dating down to a science and desires a rich husband. The film’s conceit is soon revealed when Lucy’s ex, John, comes back into her life at the same time as a new, wealthy suitor, Harry. The film’s principal question— love or money?
I won’t spoil which wins, but I don’t think I need to.
Dakota Jonson stars as Lucy and does a shockingly good job. Johnson has a stilted, off-kilter quality to her acting, but this plays to her benefit in Materialists. Lucy is supposed to be a woman who pretends and puts on faces all the time. Johnson knows how to portray that quality while still making Lucy a likable protagonist.
The other stars of the movie are Chris Evans as John and Pedro Pascal as Harry. Evans gives a decidedly better performance than Pascal. Even though Pedro Pascal is a beautiful man, the cocky, rich guy persona does not land. The dialogue sounds forced, and I never believed him as this character. Evans, on the other hand, is very believable as the stubborn, struggling actor John. He disappears into the character and brings an authenticity that the movie badly needs.
That difference between Pascal’s and Evans’ acting styles communicates the movie’s most consequential flaw. It feels like Evans and Pascal are in two separate movies, and Johnson has to float between them. In some ways, I can see how this might be the point. She floats between the two stories as she decides which choice she wants to make. Even so, it does not work. Instead, the two movies feel unrelated and unnecessary, not to mention the third plot, where Lucy tries to find a match for Sophie, portrayed by Zoe Winters of Succession fame, which further complicates the film.
However, the truly immaculate vibes are the saving grace of Materialists. New York looks seductive and vibrant throughout. The style harkens back to the golden era of 90s and early 2000s rom-coms. The consistency and allure of that style create the cohesion the movie needs. Even if the plot isn’t drawing the audience in, the beautiful settings, shots, and character styling will do the trick.
Ultimately, the dominance of style and vibes is the perfect encapsulation of this movie. Its plot, characters, and message are muddled, but it’s a fun time. There isn’t much more to say about Materialists. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it, but I probably won’t think about it until I see it on a streaming service and decide to pop it on for a lazy night.
But that isn’t a bad thing. We need movies that can just be fun, and if it looks this good— even better!
I recommend Materialists to fans of Nora Ephron, the rom-com queens of the 90s, and looking at luxurious apartments in Manhattan.