MATERIALISTS
(director/writer: Celine Song; cinematographer: Shabier Kirchner; editor: Keith Fraase; music: Daniel Pemberton; cast: Dakota Johnson (Lucy Mason), Chris Evans (John), Pedro Pascal (Harry), Zoe Winters (Sophie), Marin Ireland (Violet), Louisa Jacobson(Charlotte); Runtime: 114; MPAA Rating: R; producers: David Hinojosa, Pamela Koffler, Celine Song, Christine Vachon; Killer Films;USA/Finland-2025)
“Failed at comedy.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
South Korean born filmmaker Celine Song (“Past Lives”) is director-writer of this lightweight and slightly annoying but well-acted and staged rom-com, that’s set in the NYC of the mid-2020s. It assumes all singles obsess over money and looks, as it cynically digs into its star and the two men who romantically interest her. The film is based on Song’s real-life past experience as a matchmaker for the affluent.
Lucy (Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Melanie Griffith & Don Johnson) is attractive, single and in her mid-thirties. She comes from a poor household and is estranged from her divorced parents. She’s the salaried, workaholic, star professional matchmaker for the Adore Matchmakers, a dating service that specializes in serving the upper-middle class, arranging dates as if they were business mergers.
Lucy finds herself romantically involved with two men who are opposites-the struggling actor ex-boyfriend John (Chris Evans), who is handsome but broke, and the wealthy charmer businessman Harry (Pedro Pascal), maybe her ideal soulmate (he checks all her boxes and her marriage goal is to marry someone rich).
Lucy meets Harry at his brother’s wedding, and lays claim to being the matchmaker for the bride and groom. Intending Harry to also be a client he instead becomes a suitor, and makes her feel insecure that she’s not good enough for him. Meanwhile John caters the wedding, and his presence reminds her she still has desires for him.
It’s a superficial rom/com that failed at comedy, and its dating service story offered nothing new.
REVIEWED ON 7/5/2025 GRADE: C+
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