The Reel Review
A successful New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between a physically fit, charming millionaire who appears to be the perfect catch, and her very imperfect, broke ex-boyfriend who is working as a catering waiter between acting gigs. Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans star in this romantic dramedy.
On the heels of her 2023 Oscar-nominated hit Past Lives, writer/director Celine Song again adopts a languid, lyrical tone as she explores human nature – this, time focusing on some of the more cringey aspects of dating – materialism, unrealistic expectations and superficialism. But unlike her prior film, Materialists suffers from uneven pacing and predictable rom-dram tropes that keeps the film from being truly unique.
Even so, the film is aided by strong performances from its three leading cast members with supporting appearances from Marin Ireland (The Dark and the Wicked), Zoe Winters (Succession) and Louisa Jacobson (The Gilded Age). It also has a sweet, crowd-pleasing ending.
REEL FACTS
• Writer/director Celine Song got the idea for Materialists a decade ago, while working for a professional matchmaking service for about six months.
• The play in which John (Chris Evans) is performing is actually a real play that Celine Song wrote in 2016. She is even listed on the poster at the entrance as the playwright.
• Celine Song used her husband’s former apartment as the reference for John’s rundown, overcrowded apartment.
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