(Image credit: A24)
Love, as famously highlighted in a speech by a fictional world leader, is indeed surrounding us. This universal theme has given birth to a plethora of romance stories, drawing inspiration from classic tales of affection and heartbreak. Director Celine Song adds her latest endeavor to this tradition with a film starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans.
Materialists represents Song’s newest exploration of romance, following her acclaimed Oscar-nominated work, “Past Lives.” Fans can anticipate a narrative equally as emotional. Prior to the movie’s release, A24 shared a collection of films that inspired this new story. In Materialists, Johnson portrays Lucy, a matchmaker entangled in an unexpected love triangle. She encounters financier Harry Castillo, played by Pascal, during a wedding she orchestrated, only to cross paths with her ex-boyfriend John, portrayed by Evans, working as a caterer at the event. The unexpected reunion reignites old feelings, placing Lucy in a challenging dilemma. Choosing between beloved Marvel characters like Captain America and Mister Fantastic isn’t an easy feat.
The suggested syllabus includes timeless love stories such as Pride and Prejudice and The Graduate, which mirror the complexities of Lucy’s dilemma. Other guiding films feature Atonement, A Room with a View, and Broadcast News. Honorable mentions go to films depicting matchmakers, like Jerry Maguire and Moneyball.
As fans prepare to dive into this engaging list of inspirations before watching Materialists, there’s a question of whether they’ll shed all their tears beforehand. Nonetheless, given the overwhelming positive reviews the film has garnered, viewers can expect a worthwhile wait.
For those still yearning for more romance after the movie, consider exploring our list of the best rom-coms from the 2000s. Stay tuned as we bring more exciting movie news, features, and reviews straight to your inbox.