Materialists

I watched this without knowing anything about it. I only knew the title and the fact that Pedro Pascal was in it. No trailers, nothing.

To me this just feels like a movie desperately trying to communicate the worlds most obvious ideas and stories, while trying to make it profound in some way. Is this a New York thing (I'm European)? Is it a generational thing (I'm a millennial)? - This movie is like half an idea and a bad sentence stretched over two hours.

This was really nothing, and I would prefer watching paint dry, if it wasn't for the relatively good technical quality.

Do something else with your time. Anything.

Sad depressing melodramatic melancholy movie with wrong modern day portrayals. Very little comedy and almost a bit scary especially some of the subject matter which was quite sad. I can't think of a particular time or generation on this type of romantic activity would have been common or normal. Also substandard acting and directing.

The Materialists tries to tackle class and romance but ends up being a glossy misfire. Dakota Johnson delivers an average performance, lacking the emotional depth the role demands. Chris Evans, with his natural charm and effortless confidence, tries hard but is completely unconvincing as a struggling man. Pedro Pascal is criminally underused, his talent lost in a flat, undercooked plot. The film's core, choosing between rich future and poor love, unintentionally highlights the unfair pressure men face to succeed, with little nuance. What could've been a sharp commentary on love and materialism ends up as a dull, clichéd romance. Disappointingly weak from A24, known for more layered storytelling. The only winner is the cinematography, every frame is visually delightful, pleasing to the eyes.

I thought this would have been better because past lives was so good, but 2 out of 3 in the love triangle felt very hollow as characters. Dakota Johnson was also really awful which was half of the issue. I'm surprised once she got behind the camera they didn't swap her for another actor - she played her so vacuous I didn't feel any chemistry between her or any other person in the film let alone the 'love interests'. It gave her no room for growth. I didn't care who she ended up with, as the character was so shallow (and that wasn't a script issue per-say). With another actress, this might have been a 7/8. I also didn't understand the character arch for Pedro Pascal, it felt like his character had so much more potential but was reduced to something very hollow. Beautiful cinematography, but something was off with casting and the narrative.

I think that the movie was overhyped. It felt like there was just something missing and maybe because I watch a lot of series and get to enjoy the progression of characters overtime. That's why I felt like there was something missing. I think that the actors were great and maybe during the storyline there was way too much focus on her job aspect and there could've been just a little bit more of her personal life being expressed on screen. I honestly think the trailer was probably better than the movie and I found myself getting a little bit bored at times. I think that this was a great trio, but I don't know if that this was the perfect movie for them.