I resent the implication in Materialists' marketing and press tour that a romcom (or romance) has thus far been ignorant to class: I would argue basically every single romance that exists is in touch with class, in varying shades of romanticism. (Something like a take on Cinderella, for instance, is dreamier than, like, Howards End, but still.) If there's anything poignantly modern it's the film's sexualization and fetishization of money, which succeeds in making you anonymous. I wish the Pedro Pascal character had worn an ugly vest at one point like all those guys do.
You know what is a perfectly adequate straight up romantic drama about the transactional nature of relationships starring Dakota Johnson that feels bleak but amiable at the same time? The first fifty shades of grey lol
Wonderfully written. I have not seen the film so I’m happy to be corrected but… she makes 80K and lives in Manhattan? That’s some delusional Carrie Bradshaw bullshit.
THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS. I was so excited to watch this movie, when it ended I was just speechless, furious. I needed to find your words to explain why it made me feel the way it did. 💖
I had a hard time digesting the moral of this story…
Lucy and John, while compatible for the most part, didn’t work because of finances. I don’t think it is immoral to say finances can be a big make-it-or-break-it in a relationship. That issue is still present. She literally said she would resent him because she has to eat at cheap restaurants.
So what is the lesson here? For Lucy is it that you have to settle in a relationship? She knows with John she will never have the life she wants, but goes back to him because he’s kind to her? And for John, he has to settle, knowing in order to have Lucy he has to sacrifice his acting dream to take on more work? This relationship feels doomed.
I also didn’t get the morality story behind her job and how they left off, with Lucy choosing between unemployment or taking on the promotion. Is being a matchmaker unethical or not? I don’t know how to interpret it.
Also - I viscerally hated the height surgery topic and genuinely worry about the implications, specially if more people will explore it. Prachi Gupta talked about it in her memoir “They Called Us Exceptional”; her brother died due to that surgery. It is an incredibly dangerous, high risk procedure.
I watched this movie last night and I'm glad to stumble on this post this morning. I don't even think an essay-length interrogation could help me work out how I feel about this movie, so I'm glad to at least find yours.
I am surprised that even critical takes seem to omit how wildly bad and wooden and patently unbelievable Dakota Johnson's portrayal is of a "person who grew up poor". As an actor she seems to have zero reference points for such a person, and it rendered the movie incomprehensible
I resent the implication in Materialists' marketing and press tour that a romcom (or romance) has thus far been ignorant to class: I would argue basically every single romance that exists is in touch with class, in varying shades of romanticism. (Something like a take on Cinderella, for instance, is dreamier than, like, Howards End, but still.) If there's anything poignantly modern it's the film's sexualization and fetishization of money, which succeeds in making you anonymous. I wish the Pedro Pascal character had worn an ugly vest at one point like all those guys do.
I did ijbol at his bookshelf full of coffee table books. Like damn u bought space fillers fr
You know what is a perfectly adequate straight up romantic drama about the transactional nature of relationships starring Dakota Johnson that feels bleak but amiable at the same time? The first fifty shades of grey lol
Every good romance novel of the last fifty years is certainly among class!
Even 150 years I’d argue!!!!
If they're making that claim, they apparently aren't familiar with, oh I don't know, Jane Austen.
Two words: Pretty Woman.
“…hybrid job and an audible subscription” Welcome back, Didion
Wonderfully written. I have not seen the film so I’m happy to be corrected but… she makes 80K and lives in Manhattan? That’s some delusional Carrie Bradshaw bullshit.
No that’s real, lol! It’s a line in the movie!
HA okay well in today’s parlance, “this is not the propaganda I am buying into”
$80k in Manhattan makes her squarely the poor one in the triangle.
Chris Evans cannot play a poor dude lol
squidward caption made me laugh out loud
Lmao ty
THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS. I was so excited to watch this movie, when it ended I was just speechless, furious. I needed to find your words to explain why it made me feel the way it did. 💖
you are such an incredible writer it freaks me out
I want to hate watch every bad movie through you.
Lmao ty!!
This is SO well written, damn I’d read you review anything
This is so so kind Ty what!!
bookmarking so i can read this after i see it I AM SO EXCITED
welp……
watched it last night and it is almost comical how bizarre and lifeless it is
I had a hard time digesting the moral of this story…
Lucy and John, while compatible for the most part, didn’t work because of finances. I don’t think it is immoral to say finances can be a big make-it-or-break-it in a relationship. That issue is still present. She literally said she would resent him because she has to eat at cheap restaurants.
So what is the lesson here? For Lucy is it that you have to settle in a relationship? She knows with John she will never have the life she wants, but goes back to him because he’s kind to her? And for John, he has to settle, knowing in order to have Lucy he has to sacrifice his acting dream to take on more work? This relationship feels doomed.
I also didn’t get the morality story behind her job and how they left off, with Lucy choosing between unemployment or taking on the promotion. Is being a matchmaker unethical or not? I don’t know how to interpret it.
Also - I viscerally hated the height surgery topic and genuinely worry about the implications, specially if more people will explore it. Prachi Gupta talked about it in her memoir “They Called Us Exceptional”; her brother died due to that surgery. It is an incredibly dangerous, high risk procedure.
Oh god, i need to see it now. Can we all finally admit past lives wasn’t….. great……. 😩🫣 the trailer was the best part
This review genuinely downplays how stupid, flat, boring, and dead-inside this movie is.
I watched this movie last night and I'm glad to stumble on this post this morning. I don't even think an essay-length interrogation could help me work out how I feel about this movie, so I'm glad to at least find yours.
I am surprised that even critical takes seem to omit how wildly bad and wooden and patently unbelievable Dakota Johnson's portrayal is of a "person who grew up poor". As an actor she seems to have zero reference points for such a person, and it rendered the movie incomprehensible
Amazing review! A24's involvement had me thinking there might be something deeper to this, thank you for the warning!
Same lol. I thought because it was A24 there would be a twist like she murders them both or something