Materialists Movie Review

Materialists is Celine Song’s sophomore effort. Her first film, Past Lives, was a big commercial hit. It made almost $43 million worldwide with a budget of only $12 million.
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Academy Awards, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay came knocking, along with countless other awards, making Song aware that she had chosen the right profession. She won many of those, such as Best Picture from the National Society of Film Critics. Yet, she narrowly missed an Oscar win right out of the gate. It was exceptional, which is why Materialists came so quickly. However, it wasn’t what I had hoped for. Not everyone can repeat the success of the previous films, and we shouldn’t expect them to. Materialists is a hoot, a formulaic “chick flick,” but not much more than that. Nothing is wrong with that, but I wanted a bit more.

When the film starts, we are given reasons why men, especially of a certain age, are interested in women who are younger than they are. Of course, it’s off-putting if you’re their age, but hardly a surprise. And the realities do make for a fun Rom-Com. Only this one might be a little too straightforward. I hope so. That’s what makes it different from the others. The female clients are immediately told what their faults are. Those issues are laid out on full display. They hear what they are and are meant to learn and grow from that knowledge.

We’re offered reasons for what women look for in their ideal man. Is it love, or are they looking for someone who can financially care for her and their future brood, much like animals do when looking for strength in their mate?

Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, the matchmaker. She looks for matches based on personality, education, looks, wealth, politics, upbringing, and more. She searches for your flawless “Grave Buddy” and, before that, someone to be a decent enough partner through the years that you’ll also enjoy your stay within an elderly care facility.

She knows love is a giant transaction between two people, and she’s trying to find you the person who best fits you. She “does the math” for you. Who will make you feel valued? Who can bring what’s needed to the relationship? She’s always searching for her clients but can’t seem to find her guy. Reason? Lucy sees herself as unworthy of a return call. She believes any man can do better than her. That’s how little she thinks of herself, especially after a client returns with news about an attack. She set her up with someone capable of violence. What did she miss? She can’t forgive herself. I didn’t understand this logic. The attack changes who she is and forces her to make desperate moves, but the guilt she feels doesn’t add up.

It goes on too long, and you’ll look at your watch several times before you reach the end. When the end does come, you see it all coming. It’s not a good look for someone who had Hollywood in the palm of her hand only a few short years ago. I’d like to see her improve, and I think she will. Based on the dialogue here and her search for depth in the grand illusion of love, she has it in her to do that very thing. What you’ll like most about this is her casting of Dakota Johnson. No matter where the script took her, she handled it and you with the best of care.

*See this at the theater. I did, and it was great fun listening to comments at certain moments. The Cardinals Cheerleaders were there and had great fun, as did most of the audience that were there. They helped make this a special watch.