Materialists

Tropic Sprockets by Ian Brockway

[mr_rating_result]

In what could be a study in self-centered romance, director Celine Song (“Past Lives”) delivers an immersive tale of attraction and repulsion titled “Materialists.” Despite its uneven second half, it maintains intrigue through the authenticity of the headliner Dakota Johnson.

Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a revered employee of the Adore matchmaking service. Lucy usually has a good success rate with her clients. But lately she has been slipping. Several of her members have opted out. Exasperated, Lucy attends a wedding in the hope of finding more potential members.

She is approached by the wealthy but unsatisfied Henry (Pedro Pascal) who, like Lucy, talks about dates in a cold and statistical manner regarding level of income and height.

Lucy aims to set up Henry as a client, but he confesses that he is looking to date her. Just at that moment Lucy’s old boyfriend John (Chris Evans) appears as the server for the table. Lucy and John say hello and agree to talk after the festivities.

Henry expresses a bit of awkwardness but resolves to see her.

At the end of the ceremony, John almost kisses Lucy but then refrains.

In a flashback, it is revealed that Lucy argued with John harshly over money in public and that this was a dealbreaker for both of them.

The next night, Lucy and Henry are on a date and Henry is more enthusiastic. The date goes well. Henry plans to propose.

Lucy receives shattering news: a client, Sophie (Zoe Winters) experienced sexual assault on a date and now intends to sue Adore.

Lucy then reaches out to John.

Johnson is solid and believable as the objectivist who does not go for any flowery romance. Evans is also interesting as a bohemian who is not made for practical matters. While Pascal is a bit of a dull bolt, he delivers well.

The intrigue here is in the quality of mystery, pondering what makes each of the characters tick.

The story wobbles by the second half. The moment of Sophie’s assault doesn’t alter Lucy’s inner feelings all that much and nothing all that exciting happens to Lucy and John beyond the usual Cinderella trappings.

In showing the harsh, objectivist and unsentimental side of cyber love, “Materialists” is subversive and compelling its dialogue and character studies. It is a missed opportunity however, in its application of Rom / Com old school tradition and its taking of the easy way out.

Write Ian at ianfree11@yahoo.com