"Materialists" - A Fresh Spin on Modern Love

Once upon a time, I was the number one aficionado of “Sex and the City”. Although I’ve long appreciated its flamboyantly fun spirit, my inner film critic has often pondered - just imagine "Sex in the City" if it sometimes ditched the lighthearted candor for a more authentic look at dating?

Thankfully, the grandly delightful New York narrative of "Materialists" has done precisely that. Celine Song, the gifted creator behind the dreamy "Past Lives", unfolds another captivating tale that stars the alluring Dakota Johnson as a no-nonsense professional matchmaker and brings Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal to play her love interests (Evans as the ruggedly charming, financially strapped actor and Pascal as the smooth-talking private-equity broker with a $12 million pad).

Although "Materialists" comes across and is marketed as a rom-com, it cleverly metamorphoses into an engaging contradiction - a romantic comedy with a genuine touch of reality. Forget about the quintessential '90s rom-com narrative; "Materialists" is raw and real, a sharp social romantic drama with stark and relatable commentary on modern society and love.

Set against the backdrop of elite New York society, "Materialists" encapsulates the real-life quest for "the perfect partner" - good looks, pleasing personality, immaculate taste, right height, and a substantial six-figure salary. The film expertly utilizes this setting to intertwine love and money’s complex dance, showing us how it shapes dating culture.

Johnson plays Lucy, a matchmaker for Adore, an upscale matchmaking company with a straightforward promise, "You’re going to marry the love of your life." She delicately caters to the clients' high standards, conducting post-date debriefs and evaluating potential second dates.

However, even as Adore promises marital bliss, it mirrors the revolution which online dating brought about; turning the pursuit of love into an extended shopping spree. Here love becomes transactional – a striking commentary on the contemporary dating paradigm.

As we navigate through witty dating sequences, the film channels glimpses of Jane Austen's timeless stories and Edith Wharton's profound exploration of love, money, and women's desires. The dialogue is rich with wit and perception, flowing seamlessly throughout - a characteristic skill of Celine Song.

Lucy, the matchmaker, is a mystery. While she navigates the materialistic expectations of her clients and dispenses advice like, “You’re not ugly, you just don’t have money,” you wonder about her own desires and beliefs.

Though financially humble herself and friends with her struggling-actor ex-boyfriend John (played by Chris Evans), there are questions about whether she has the same aspirations as her clients. Buttering this complex toast further is the introduction of Pedro Pascal’s charming, mustachioed character who seems to embody the ideal man – the much sought after "unicorn".

"Materialists" adeptly shows us how love has changed in the modern era of abundant choices and control freaks. But as we go through this maze of love, money, and standards, the film beautifully shows us how the quest for elite status is diluting romantic relationships.

Expectedly, a revolving plot like this could have an effortlessly fizzy climax - a la classic rom-coms. However, the pragmatic tone of "Materialists" poses a dilemma. Although you know the right man for Lucy, the film lacks the eruptive romantic epiphanies typical of rom-coms and slightly fudges the finance narrative a bit.

The lack of such an adrenaline rush might dent its mass appeal. In comparison to "Sex and the City's" light and bubbly disposition, "Materialists" draws parallels to one made by Eric Rohmer. But believe me, that's commendable, even if the film might not rake up massive numbers at the box office.