Materialists

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Expectation: I’m going to like this a lot.

Reality: This is a perfect movie! I genuinely have no notes.

From the opening frame to the end credits, Materialists is flawless. Well done, Celine Song!

Not only does it strike the perfect balance between comedy, romance, and drama, but the script doesn’t have a single wasted line of dialogue. Every scene and word has meaning.

The actors are trusted to act, rather than having to explain every little thought or feeling their characters are having, and they deliver.

Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans are all amazing, I’m a huge fan of their individual artistry.

I particularly enjoyed Chris Evans in this role. I once attempted to watch AppleTV+’s Ghosted where Evans stars opposite Ana de Armas as a very uncool, desperate guy, and it doesn’t work at all. I quit that movie about 30 minutes in because Evans was so unconvincing in the role, and I’m honestly not sure if it was his performance or if it had more to do with other factors, but in Materialists I completely buy him as a starving artist.

This film explores the ins and outs of dating and how most people only think they know what they want but aren’t honest enough with themselves to actually know.

Everything works seamlessly — the cinematography, the acting, the editing, the lighting, the costuming and set design — I mean truly everything molds together in a way that made me forget I was watching a movie and I was able to be completely immersed in this world and story for a couple of hours which is rare for me these days.

I laughed, I cried. I related to every character in some way.

One of my favorite quotes: “Why do people bother to get married? … Because other people tell them they should, and they’re lonely. But also because they’re hopeful.”

In the end, it’s all about what makes people feel valuable. It left me wondering, what makes me feel valued, and what do I value in others? And once I’ve identified those things, is that enough?

11/10 recommend.