Materialists was a game changer of a romantic comedy. Not only did it challenge the conventions of meet-cutes and love triangles, but it exposed the matchmaking industry for the commodification of human beings. That goes for expensive personalized services as depicted in the film, or cheap apps we swipe daily.
In a Hollywood movie, Dakota Johnson choosing between Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. would be a lark. In Celine Song’s film, she has to choose between money/comfort and emotional satisfaction that comes with challenges. Actually, that is the lesson rom-com heroines usually learn but usually it’s Tom Hanks or Hugh Grant making a big romantic gesture to win her over. In Materialists they really go there.
The Blu-ray looks like it did in the theaters. Song shot on 35mm so it has the texture of celluloid. HD showcases the lavish, wealthy environs and the squalor of those struggling financially. Plus, the New York streets are indelible.
A 16 minute behind the scenes feature touches on the contradictions of matchmaking. Song goes deeper in her commentary and also goes deep on her filmmaking process, including things she finally achieved after she couldn’t in her first film, Past Lives. The songwriters also give a poignant talk about the musical themes and instrumentation.