Verdict: 3/5
Ask anyone single in your life about the dating scene at the moment, and they’ll say it’s akin to a shallow, stinky puddle with little to no fish.
Between numerous dating apps and the quest to find someone ‘in the wild’, modern dating can feel like a chore, and no matter how many dates you go on, you’ll never meet the one.
That’s a feeling matchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is banking on in A24’s new rom-com, ‘Materialists’.
A lead matchmaker at company Adore, Lucy specialises in matching desperate singles with their true love, by checking as many boxes as possible. Voluntarily celibate herself, Lucy vows to only date someone with the intention of marriage, and soon finds herself charmed by rich financier, Harry (Pedro Pascal).
As their romance blossoms, Lucy also re-ignites a friendship with her ex, John (Chris Evans), someone whom she had a long relationship with in the past, but does not have the career or financial stability to support her.
While Harry looks perfect on paper, can checking boxes be enough to spark an everlasting love?
Not usually one for romantic movies myself, I was surprised to find I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The story is engaging and you’ll easily find yourself sucked into the plot and back stories of characters.
It’s less of a love triangle or a will-they-won’t-they, but more of an exploration into modern dating and what it means to love someone, wholly and truly. Sometimes, when looking for love, the person you find isn’t completely perfect, or doesn’t tick all of your boxes, but there’s something inside of them that makes you say, to hell with the boxes, I’m all in.
‘Materialists’ holds up the mirror to the modern dating scene, including the rise of sexual assault that is seen far too often, and is far too prevalent in the minds of women (and men) when going on dates. This isn’t an issue to be swept under the rug, and ‘Materialists’ explores and deals with these themes maturely and with respect.
All three leads produce an excellent performance, giving life and depth to their characters. Dakota Johnson’s confidence and fire shines through as she portrays the ambitious Lucy. Pedro Pascal’s gentle but bold demeanour brings life to the character of Harry, and Chris Evans’ portrayal of can’t-get-his-life-together-ex, John is humorous and believable.
Overall, this film is about dating as much as it is about looking inside yourself. Whether you’re willing to meet someone where they’re at, and love them for who they are.
Materialistic things come and go, but as this film shows us, true love is forever.
See this movie at Hoyts Penrith.
