Past Lives was my favorite movie of 2023 so I’m very excited to see this, but the marketing has been pretty bland, making it seem like a more conventional rom com. Hearing your thoughts, I’m hopeful it will be better than that!
I still haven't gotten around to Past Lives so this was the kick I needed to get on top of buying a Materialists ticket! One of my favorite things about Love & Friendship is how it constantly reminds you that the stakes are whether Susan and Frederica will literally have a roof over their heads, without ever being less than incredibly funny.
Just want to say that as a longtime fan of the WRMC columns, I googled "Materialists Caroline Siede," was so thrilled to see you had written about it, and will now see the film on the strength of your recommendation and no one else's. The romantic comedy (and dramedy) expert as far as I'm concerned (thank you for getting me to watch Love & Basketball). Great review, can't wait!
I had already wanted to see this because of Celine Song and Pedro Pascal and now we have Austen vibes adding to my interest. I'm intrigued that you think this is more complex than the typical rom-com.
"The best way to describe Materialists is that it’s more conventional than you might expect based on Past Lives’ intimate maturity and yet also less conventional than its marketing would have you think—more thoughtful romantic dramedy than sparkling rom-com confection."
This is so perfectly put and brilliant. The marketing has definitely made people a bit hesitant about Celine Song going mainstream, but I was so glad to discover she was making something far more nuanced and interesting. While it's no Past Lives, to be sure, I really liked it. Celine Song is one of our best chroniclers of modern romance.
Past Lives was my favorite movie of 2023 so I’m very excited to see this, but the marketing has been pretty bland, making it seem like a more conventional rom com. Hearing your thoughts, I’m hopeful it will be better than that!
I still haven't gotten around to Past Lives so this was the kick I needed to get on top of buying a Materialists ticket! One of my favorite things about Love & Friendship is how it constantly reminds you that the stakes are whether Susan and Frederica will literally have a roof over their heads, without ever being less than incredibly funny.
Yes! The economic stakes of Austen are always so high and I feel like people miss that in all the sweet romanticism.
Just want to say that as a longtime fan of the WRMC columns, I googled "Materialists Caroline Siede," was so thrilled to see you had written about it, and will now see the film on the strength of your recommendation and no one else's. The romantic comedy (and dramedy) expert as far as I'm concerned (thank you for getting me to watch Love & Basketball). Great review, can't wait!
I'm so glad you found me here! Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy the movie
Thank you for saying exactly what I’m feeling right now. I was gobsmacked by this movie.
I had already wanted to see this because of Celine Song and Pedro Pascal and now we have Austen vibes adding to my interest. I'm intrigued that you think this is more complex than the typical rom-com.
I had a good time with it today but I’m sorry I don’t buy the ending for one second.
omg this has made me so excited to watch!!
Your review is fantastic and spot-on!
I really don't ever want to see Dakota Johnson mentioned in the same sentence with Jane Austen again...
Wonderful review!
"The best way to describe Materialists is that it’s more conventional than you might expect based on Past Lives’ intimate maturity and yet also less conventional than its marketing would have you think—more thoughtful romantic dramedy than sparkling rom-com confection."
This is so perfectly put and brilliant. The marketing has definitely made people a bit hesitant about Celine Song going mainstream, but I was so glad to discover she was making something far more nuanced and interesting. While it's no Past Lives, to be sure, I really liked it. Celine Song is one of our best chroniclers of modern romance.
https://letterboxd.com/ghostwritingcow/film/materialists/