A sweet romcom about matchmaking and the matchmaker herself.
We’ve seen movies about matchmakers like “Hello Dolly” or “Hitch,” and I guess we’re going to see more of them in the movies. Even in A24’s filmography, which in this case happens to be “Materialists.”
This is latest film from writer/director Celine Song, who also made the Oscar-nominated gem “Past Lives.” And while “Materialists” doesn’t exceed that film because of how repetitive the dating issues can be, it really does care about the characters and their feelings, and it knows how to sneak in some humor when it needs to.
Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a successful matchmaker for the Adore Matchmaking company with 9 weddings so far, thanks to her expertise. In her social life, she either wants to “die alone or get a rich husband.” So, she makes it her life long mission to find herself the perfect spouse.
We hear clients wanting people who are in their 20s and not in their 30s. We also hear break-ups and cynicism. And we even acknowledge some shallow and ambiguously racist people. So, how could Lucy really cater to their checklists? It might not be as easy.
She has two flames in this movie. Her former lover John (Chris Evans), who is a struggling actor working odd jobs at a wedding catering company in order to finance his upcoming play. And the wealthy businessman Harry (Pedro Pascal), who is also the brother of the groom whose wedding she attends.
There is no annoying competitions between the rich guy and the poor guy, which is refreshing. Besides, it’s more about how Lucy needs to find her center in what romance has to offer and what it can offer. It’s about overpowering whatever cynicism life can throw at people in this case.
As I mentioned, this matchmaking is not always as easy and persistent as the rich and shallow bachelors and bachelorettes would dream. For example, one of Lucy’s clients Sophie (Zoe Winters) gets beaten up by her date Mark (John Magaro), and this distresses the matchmaker, who thought the guy she was setting her up with was legit. Fortunate for us, we don’t have to see the assaults, but rather acknowledge Sophie’s turmoil and how she becomes disenchanted.
“Materialists” doesn’t deeply delve into both of Lucy’s relationships, but it does give us good details on both sides, which I don’t want spoil for you. We mostly take from the perspectives of Lucy and John, and they’re reminiscent of any couple who have broken up and might get back together again. I don’t cater to typical romcoms, and this movie is far from typical.
We get equally terrific work from Johnson, Evans, and especially Winters. And now that I look at it, maybe Frank Capra would love this movie, based on how the characters are conflicted about love. I remember recommending “Fly Me to the Moon” with his spirit last year, but that was based more on the acting and humor. This is more based on people and life.
I think we can agree that Song refuses to take the easy way out. “Past Lives” didn’t give us the happy ending most movie goers are used to, but it gave us something unique within. It gave us life. “Materialists” is a worthy follow up feature from her, based on her filming techniques and choices.
