Here’s an interesting development. A24 has set up a June 13 nationwide theatrical release for Celine Song’s “Materialists.” Is this film skipping festivals?
The film, which stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, follows a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker who finds herself torn between two men, including her imperfect ex.
Song’s “Past Lives” was not only a Sundance sensation, but went on to get Best Picture nominated at the Oscars. Whatever film Song did next was going to be met with a lot of anticipation, especially by critics, who wildly praised “Past Lives.”
Briefly, based on multiple people I’ve spoken to, “Materialists,” which was shot on 35mm, is “just is not as good as “Past Lives.” The cut shown last year was rough, and they definitely had room to tighten it up and make it better. With that said, it sounds like a likable and accessible film.
“Materialists” has been described as “Hitch if it were written by James L. Brooks. Johnson is said to be a standout as the workaholic matchmaker who has to confront what she wants out of love. She is said to have really good chemistry with Pedro Pascal (also very good) and Chris Evans.
What “Materialists” seems to amount to is “commercial appeal,” and that makes sense given its release date during the thick of the summer movie season. It’s striving to be kind of romcom that doesn’t really get made these days, unless you count those terrible ones that Netflix seems to be releasing every month.
This is a fairly risky film on the part of Song, going from “Past Lives” to what sounds like unadorned romcom territory. It doesn’t sound like “Materialists” will get the same acclaim as “Past Lives” and maybe that’s what Song intended by having her sophomore effort be a lighter affair.