Materialists review

The first thought that came to my mind after finishing 'Materialists' this past Saturday was, "Why the hell does Chris Evans not do more movies where his acting is really utilised?"

After having seen him as Captain America for more than a decade, I really had high expectations from him. As much as he is likeable in Marvel, I was excited to see him in different characters. But somehow, there is not been much on that front. He has appeared in a few movies but it has not been emotionally satisfying in any way (Looking at you Deadpool). Managing my expectations, when I went in to see Materialists, I did not anticipate my inner fangirl to re-emerge. But she had to, because Chris really does deliver.

But before we get into that, let's talk about the movie overall.

Well, we meet Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a successful matchmaker, and a previously unsuccessful actress. She seems to be navigating a more elite society than the one she grew up in, her star rising as her matches turn to marriages. At one such wedding, she meets a charming Harry (Pedro Pascal), who in Lucy's world is a unicorn - he's rich, confident, kind, handsome and very crucially, tall. Incidentally, she happens to meet her ex and struggling actor John (Chris Evans) at the same wedding who is making do by waitering.

The condundrum is immediately evident - do you choose money and status, or do you choose love?

Except that it's not as black and white as we would expect, or even as Lucy's world view seems to reiterate. While Harry is the obvious wise choice for a convenient, easy life, his portrayal is not that of an empty vapid man who just makes a lot of money and in turn, needs a 20 something model on his arm. Both Harry and Lucy have a connection not just because of their attraction, but also because they recognise each other as people of this world. People who are good at their jobs, people who know their worth, both real and perceived, and how to sell it. Lucy and Harry's story appears to be a whirlwind romance with dates at expensive restaurants and Harry's $12 million dollar apartment, but their conversations are anything but. Instead of big proclamations and metaphors classic to grand romances, they are fairly direct and honest with each other. The fact that their relationship's foundation is based on tangibles (Harry's money for Lucy) and more or less tangible intangibles (Lucy's worldliness) is an indication that the romance is little more than a business deal.

This works perfectly for Lucy, who claims that her one condition to marry someone is that he is rich. Unbeknownst to her, her business deal has a hidden clause of actually wanting love in the equation.

And that is where John comes in. John has literally only love to offer, but Lucy cannot help but want what she already has had and walked out of. To his credit, John offers his ever-lasting love for Lucy while acknowledging the very real obstacle to their love, but only on the condition that she is really willing to go all in, not just using him as a rebound before walking out again.

Chris and Dakota's moments shine largely because of the hurt in Chris's eyes as John. It's rare to be given a chance to see him really flex his acting chops. The last time I enjoyed a Chris Evans performance was in Knives out, where he portrayed a vain, selfish asshole as effortlessly as he does an earnest, hopelessly romantic in this movie.

Now I am not the biggest Pedro fan (gasp!) - I like him well enough and think he's a good actor, and that's pretty much it. In this movie though, he seems to have intentially reined in the hearthrob element of his internet personality. Harry feels inert, like there is a part of him that remains locked away, part of him that he himself doesn't have access to. I do appreciate that subtle touch he brings to the character.

As for Dakota as Lucy - well, she's decent enough. She has a quality of being undecipherable, which doesn't lend very well to movies, but with this one, especially in her relationship with Harry, that is a feature, not a bug. With John, they do have a comfort that you naturally have with people you have known for a long time, but their romance is largely to Chris's credit. But hey, I am not complaining.

The question of what are we worth, what love is worth - and how much value do we place on ourselves with our choices in love are well- explored, without a clear answer (because there is unfortunately, none). I particularly appreciate the long, unbroken dialogues without the need for dumbing them down, or indulging in plots of uneccesary miscommunication and melodrama, or undercutting important scenes with comedy. These 3 people feel real, balancing practicality with feelings, constantly weighing their options and worth.

Overall, I can say, this was a fun and surprisingly emotional watch. If you haven't yet, do give this movie a shot.