MATERIALISTS

MATERIALISTS is a romantic drama with strong comical moments about a dating consultant for wealthy clients in New York City who starts dating a nice wealthy man but is still friends with her long-time ex-boyfriend, a committed actor who may never earn much money. MATERIALISTS is an enjoyable, well-written and well-acted romantic drama with some positive insights on finding a committed, loving romantic partner, but it’s rooted in a secular, nonbiblical worldview and contains lots of strong foul language, plus two or so politically correct moments.

The movie stars Dakota Johnson as Lucy, a tall, beautiful and personable dating consultant in New York City. She’s just had her ninth successful match that led to an actual wedding proposal. However, she’s had trouble finding a match for a 39-year-old woman named Sophie, who’s either too young or too old for her company’s wealthy male clients.

At the wedding for her ninth successful match, the bride suddenly has doubts about going through with the wedding. However, Lucy expertly reminds her that the groom is a really nice man who respects and values her greatly. Add some love and money, and you’ve got a good chance of having a strong marriage that truly lasts.

At the reception, Lucy meets a wealthy financial consultant named Harry, played by Pedro Pascal (who plays the Mandalorian in the popular Star Wars TV program on Disney+ and has been getting many other big roles in the last two years). Harry is a personable, good natured guy, and he’s clearly very interested in Lucy. However, at the wedding reception, who appears but Lucy’s long-time ex-boyfriend, John, played by Chris Evans of MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS. John is working as one of the waiters for the wedding caterer, a regular job he does to make ends meet because John is still a struggling actor waiting to find his big break. Of course, John may never get his big break, but he has no intention giving up on acting.

When John shows up at their table to give Lucy her typical order of a Coke and a beer, Harry tries to ignore John and Lucy as they happily greet one another. Although John and Lucy are still good friends, they both agreed to break up. Later, it’s revealed that they both see no way how they will ever make their relationship work, even though John still carries a torch for Lucy.

As Lucy and Harry start dating seriously, it looks like Lucy may have finally found the man she’s going to marry. A surprising plot twist decides the issue, leading to a heartfelt, satisfying ending.

MATERIALISTS is an enjoyable, well-written and well-acted romantic drama. The characters are appealing and good natured. Also, all three people involved in the love triangle are caring people. Lucy has great chemistry with Harry and great chemistry with John. The resolution of this love triangle is satisfying and well-written by Writer/Director Celine Song.

MATERIALISTS has several positive insights about dating, romantic love and commitment. For example, in finding a committed mate, the script opines that mutual respect between the two people doesn’t just involve a commitment to love the other person. It also involves both people considering the other person to be a valuable human being, especially a very precious person to them personally. MATERIALISTS suggests that both are vital for mutual respect and mutual commitment, especially if a successful, lasting marriage is the end goal.

That said, the movie’s story occurs in a secular, non-religious world. So, the movie’s vision of romance, love and marriage is not connected to God, a specific religion or the Bible. Of course, in a Christian worldview, mutual faith in God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate foundation for a healthy marriage. Studies have shown that sleeping together before marriage can increase the chances of a married couple being unhappy and getting divorced. They also show that men and women are happiest when they marry a person of the opposite sex and have children with that person.

MATERIALSISTS has lots of strong foul language, including about 15 “f” words. The movie also reveals that Lucy starts sleeping regularly at Harry’s fancy apartment. Finally, MATERIALISTS has some politically correct moments. For example, about two comical sequences show a few of Lucy’s clients discussing what they want in a relationship. One of the people is a black lesbian with conservative, traditional values, and the movie mocks her briefly for trying to find another lesbian woman with such values in New York City. There’s also an end credits scene of many couples waiting in lines at a large courthouse office for marriage certificates and marriages. Sone of the couples milling about are same-sex couples, but the camera doesn’t focus on any one couple.

MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution for MATERIALISTS. It’s not the most offensive movie to come out of Hollywood, but it’s also not the cleanest, most positive movie either.