Materialists Is Authentic And Boring

Celine Song took on a difficult task in her effort to make a rom-com about pragmatic 30-somethings looking for love. "Materialists," the result of that effort, seems generated by a focus group, not a fantasy.

"Materialists" was, to an extent, a step forward from her first film, "Past Lives." That rom-dram was presented as a parable about the complicated ways versions of ourselves come and go — and how we remain connected to younger versions of ourselves even as we move forward. It was designed to make its audiences experience the intoxicating lunacy of yearning for someone else in an impossible situation.

Without the sappy sheen, "Past Lives" was about a woman’s decision to emotionally indulge in an old relationship while her current husband sits (literally) beside them. I hated the film immediately and perceived the actions of the protagonist (Nora) as cruel. I understand that committed relationships can be complex and still healthy, but I imagined her husband thinking about how much he wanted to die in that moment.

I expected the same type of emotional luster on "Materialists." I wanted to go in with an open mind, but realistically I expected to hate it. I was surprised to find that Song had made a deliberate attempt to move away from her “if only” perspective in "Past Lives." The result this time was lackluster.