5 Good Things: What I loved about Materialists *no spoilers
the opening scene after the actual opening scene
If you’ve watched it then you know what I’m referring to. As soon as I heard the first percussion beats to Cat Power’s Manhattan I was already in love with this film. Not only is it the perfect rhythmic choice for a walking in the city song, but it set the entire tone for the movie. Whether this was Celine’s choice or not, I believe it was so intentional since it right away introduced the film’s 4th character, New York.
In fact the entire music direction was excellent throughout the film. Songs flowed into a scene effortlessly and non-theatrical. Celine Song has a good Spotify playlist, “love songs about cities”.
Lucy
In similar style to her debut film Past Lives, Celine Song takes pieces from her own life to make very good films. Matchmaking was once upon a time, Celine’s side hustle, the day job that paid rent and allowed her to focus on playwriting. Much of the interview process portrayed in the film is exactly how she recalls how clients responded with what they were looking for, the “boxes to check off.” Lucy, played by Dakota Johnson, is a successful matchmaker with a conscience. She is one of the top matchmakers of the firm, understanding the numbers game of finding true love. Height, weight, salary, net worth, Lucy is so good at it that she’s confirmed that she will be alone for the rest of her life. Because maybe love means more than numbers for her.
the devastating subplot
This subplot is how you know that Materialists is not a box-office rom-com (besides that it’s A24). It is not depicted in the trailers or brought up in any of the press interviews, subplots rarely are, regardless something happens that changes the course of the main character Lucy for good. I think it was so well written. This subplot will stay with you long after the movie is over and it’s meant to.
**If you haven’t watched yet, it does pertain to SA, but no graphics. **
its main theme
Materialists is not about two people finding each other and falling in love, that idea is actually secondary to the ongoing question in the entire film. What is my value? Those who are materialists, value objects of worth, possessions, wealth, hierarchy and what is on the outside of a person. They attach all of those “boxes” to what constitutes as their answer to happiness and living a successful life. I’m wondering what are the things I value for myself and about myself. Do I need to be with someone who earns more than 100k yearly. But then you consider everything happening around us, whether it’s political or how AI is stealing all the jobs, endless natural disasters, how are we not supposed to be materialistic?
the ending
The writing is so excellent, I love when you discover someone’s writing style and Celine Song’s comes through beautifully. So far being her 2nd film, she writes thoughtfully expressed stories about relatable subjects and people. And she does it in a way that’s true to filmmaking, not by big studio standards. I say that Materialists is not a traditional rom-com and it’s really not, but that doesn’t mean the main character can’t have a romantic, happy pay-off. Sometimes love stories need a sappy ending. But how Celine Song orchestrated it was subtle, she took care of her main character, paid homage to New York and answered the relentless question to its main theme. Well done.
I’m looking forward to A24 adding this into their collection exclusively on HBO Max (whatever it wants to be called now). Will definitely be rewatching and then dissecting the fashion, which was also very good.
Enjoy the week and the summer heatwave!
DNAMAG
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