Over the past few decades or so, the debate surrounding romantic narratives has resulted in a cesspool of degrading and belittling commentary that’s tirelessly forced people to defend it. It has happened in the literature space, as well as in film and TV, giving people the latitude to act as though they are above others when they deem a rom-com as clichéd or unoriginal. Yet, what people often fail to grasp is how human and raw romance tends to be, and Celine Song’s Materialists proves that.
Starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, Materialists explores the pangs of dating through an incredibly realistic lens that touches on how a person’s value is often tied to their wealth and romantic status. It offers social commentary on how the world continues to esteem patriarchal standards of beauty and wealth while acknowledging the irony in these matters through acute self-awareness.
And here’s the thing many consumers outside of the genre don’t know—romance novels and rom-coms are more often than not deeply self-aware. In a world where dating is more accessible than it was in the 1800s, meeting the “right” person is at our fingertips; yet, the real world isn’t a math problem, nor is it an easy formula. And this is precisely what Materialists explores in a film that’s less than two hours long but rich in everything it shows.
Materialists Is a True Gem
In the hands of any other director, the love triangle in Materialists would’ve felt unnecessary, absurd, and lazy. But Song has a clear purpose and story to tell. Marriage has, and will always be, a business transaction, but what happens when there’s no love? Who chooses what and why? Countless women would choose Pascal’s charming and rich Harry, while others would have a hard time letting go of Evans’ John despite his financial struggles. The film doesn’t prioritize a right or wrong answer, but it carefully explores the human psyche by examining what so many people want out of a relationship—to be valued. And remarkably, both men value and see Johnson’s Lucy for who she is. They see her worth and her value, allowing the choice she makes at the end to be the one that’s best for her.
The film could have vilified one of the men to pit them against each other in a tired battle, but that thankfully doesn’t happen because the villain is instead an archetype of countless different men in the dating field. The men who lie and cheat, and view women as their prey. With this, Song weaves in an arc about sexual assault in the dating field to also underscore the detail that checking boxes isn’t the way to determine a person’s character.
People can’t always be trusted, and it’s what makes everything ten times harder, primarily for women. The profundity of what Materialists reflects upon is where its significance undoubtedly lies, as it carefully deconstructs the detail that human beings fail to see one another as people. Viciousness and pain have taken over. So much boils down to material matters contributing to misery, and the awareness that comes from the characters knowing all of this allows the story to be worthy of nuanced discussions.
Excellent Performances Are Paired With an Excellent Screenplay
Song’s ability to take simple matters and make them hauntingly breathtaking is a result of the immense heart she brings to her words. And as a romance author, I can confirm one small thing in that, if you yourself don’t believe in the words you’re writing, then they aren’t going to be evocative. It’s not about flowery prose or big grand gestures—it’s about the lines that fit the characters and the emotions they’re feeling coming from a place that feels raw, vulnerable, and sincere. Song is masterful in accomplishing this, and all three of the stars are flawless with their deliveries.
Pedro Pascal’s range is an inimitable force in Hollywood right now. How the actor escapes into a role and fully embodies the character while making us forget every other part he’s played is no small feat. It’s an artistry he excels in, and the natural charm and goodness he has consistently cascades out of Harry, too. In many ways, he could’ve been a one-dimensional character without all the heart, but with the emotions sprinkled into the words and everything Pascal delivers, Harry is instead an absolute joy.
Related Content: Why Chris Evans’ Monologue in Materialists Sticks the Landing
The same can be said for Chris Evans, who’s such a natural in roles like this that it’s shocking people are calling it his best performance to date. (Hi, yes, watch Gifted.) Evans was also brilliant as Steve Rogers, and he’s brilliant in Materialists because he consistently delivers honest and heartfelt performances that stick the landing. People simply haven’t been watching him closely.
More importantly, the leading performance brought to life by Dakota Johnson is the one we need to scream about. Johnson is astounding in conveying sharp quips, honest reflections, and tender moments of vulnerability through a character who’s so layered that it’s breathtaking to watch her simply walk. Everything we see with the character and the reason she’ll remain memorable, relatable, and a comfort is because of the layered performance Johnson brings.
Raw, sincere, and achingly vulnerable with brilliant performances, Celine Song’s Materialists is a compelling romance from beginning to end. Thought-provoking, gorgeously shot, and featuring another winning score from Daniel Pemberton, it’s safe to deem it the film of the summer.
Materialists is now playing in theaters.
First Featured Image Credit: ©A24