Materialists Review: Nothing Like Your Average Rom-Com

Midway through screening “Materialists,” the follow-up to Celine Song’s Oscar-nominated “Past Lives,” I realize I have the A24 romantic comedy all wrong — partly because the movie is a bit too serious to fit, say, the Nora Ephron standard of rom-coms.

Another reason is that the film’s vague synopsis hardly does justice to the poignant commentary you discover at the heart of it.

In “Materialists,” a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself caught between Mr. Right and an imperfect ex. That premise plays out clearly in the film’s glittering trailer, which stars Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans in a simmering love triangle that looks like it would swell to the typical dramatic stakes most would expect from a romantic drama.

At least that’s what I thought.

But after watching “Materialists,” I found that a far more compelling narrative side-stepped that familiar trope — one that thoughtfully explores the perils of love and relationships, as well as the shift in today’s dating culture. That was a smart move on Song’s part, saving the film’s strongest elements for the full viewing experience (something I wish more contemporary movie trailers would do).

The initial draw of “Materialists” obviously lies in its charming lead cast and the allure of a new American romance that’s been grossly missing from theaters. However, the deeper story that unfolds within it is just as engrossing, and more importantly, subversive to the romance genre, offering profound self-reflection in addition to the anticipated happily-ever-after.

“Materialists” follows lowly paid matchmaker Lucy (Johnson) on her quest to help her elite New York City clientele of moneyed professionals find their perfect love matches (a storyline hatched from Song’s own stint as a matchmaker). Lucy’s process is something like negotiating a corporate deal, which requires noting every pesky detail her clients are looking for in a prospective partner — the ideal physique, shared interests and hobbies, a college degree, a six-figure salary and 6-foot height to match for some — among other superficial traits almost too ridiculous to list.

One client, a middle-aged Black woman, demands a partner who is a through-and-through conservative Republican. Another, a white man close to his 50s, refuses to budge on his maximum age requirement, because a woman in her 30s and 40s is way too old…