Celine Song made the brilliant Past Lives a couple of years ago, and this follow-up has been highly anticipated by fans of that film. Dakota Johnson stars as Lucy, a young and ambitious New York matchmaker who seems to have accepted she will remain single. But, then, at the same time she meets possibly her perfect man, when she applies her matchmaking criteria, wealthy Harry (Pedro Pascal), she also re-connects with her ex, struggling actor John (Chris Evans).
Whilst this is same genre as Past Lives, i.e. romantic drama, it is very different. That film had me hooked from the start with its well drawn and likeable characters. Materialists is harder to get into. In line with the title, Lucy appears to be obsessed with how much money someone has, so it is tough to be sympathetic towards her. Johnson and Pascal have no chemistry but I suppose that may be deliberate as despite Lucy’s calculations, they are not really suited.
When we get to see Lucy and John together later on, it works better as they have a believable connection. Also Evans is comfortably the best performer in the film, though that may be helped by playing the most sympathetic character.
I also thought that Lucy’s crisis in confidence when one her female customers is assaulted on a date she set up works well.
A slight disappointment but that was probably because my expectations were so high, but there is enough here for me to be already keenly anticipating Song’s next film.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10