I really want to see the movie because I keep seeing very well thought out reviews both positive and negative. I love RomCom so I already figured I'd probably enjoy it but your review made me like 80% sure I'll enjoy it now.
I was waiting for your review and then missed it the day it came out! Agree with you 100%. What would have put the icing on the romcom-y aspect's cake for happy ending would have been if the client who went through the traumatic date experience would have in the end hooked up with Pedro Pascal! Or would that have been to romcom-y for Celine Song?
Ingrid. Was waiting for your comment! And Harry/ Pedro would never date Sophie. If we learned anything about NyC affluent men it’s that 27 is the cutoff!
So glad you liked the movie! I can't wait to see it as well, but have to wait until August. Also, thank you for linking to my post! And fun fact: that leg lengthening procedure was featured/mentioned in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, haha, and this was years ago. If I remember correctly, the patient in Grey's got an infection, and they had to remove some tissue, ultimately making him even shorter, oops.
So glad to hear someone having a great time at the theatre, definitely interested to see this given how much I enjoyed Celine Strong's previous film. I am glad the movie addressed some of the very real concerns around dating, and yes I have heard of leg lengthening surgery and it is very real. The CTV series W5 covered it here in Canada, its absolutely terrifying that some men think that it is necessary to risk permanent injury with such a surgery which requires breaking both legs and slowly stretching them via gear like apparatuses that slowly rebreak the leg which then heals resulting it the purported "growth."
If I was in a theatre watching a film and someone's phone kept lighting up, I would get annoyed. I may not say anything, but it would deter me from going to the theatre again. That said, I'm already deterred from going to the theatre anyway (because the last time I went, they turned the sound up too goddamn loud), so there's that!
The premise of this film sounds interesting, the cast is great, and I'll be intrigued to see another Celine Song film.
I get it. I mean yeah it can be annoying. I dim the light and try and be considerate. I can’t write on a notebook in the dark theater. Have tried plenty. Anyways, I guess assume positive intent, is always my go to. And when someone explains be open to it. Plus the theater was huge and empty. She could have moved!
That said. This film is worth it. It was well done.
I love your review, Beth! The Persuasion connection is so strong, I am kicking myself for not seeing it to begin with. Now that you’ve astutely connected the dots, I don’t think this film would exist without Jane Austen and Anne Eliot. It’s fascinating that Dakota has basically played that character twice in five years. And “ethereal” is the perfect word to describe her. I think Celine Song did an evil genius job of casting her as Lucy. She’s as polarizing as this movie! I love that people are talking about Materialists, that this film has no easy resolutions, and yet is so fun, funny and stylish despite its grimmer realities. (Thank you for the shoutout!!)
Thanks Erin. Good callout on Johnson’s casting being as polarizing as this movie. From one film to the next my love for her definitely ebbs and flows but she is so damn good here. I wanted to see more of her inner self (life) revealed in the deeper elements of her upbringing and connection with John. The film had bits here and there that alluded to her attraction to him and the “scrappy” Lucy but she was so polished all the time it was hard to scratch that surface. The fact that she came out and said, “I’m awful. I’m an awful person. You should hate me” to John showed a level of self awareness about the push and pull of her material wants and needs weighed against her attraction to him. Whereas with John I felt his love for her, deeply. Also I think Evan’s is doing hair plugs but whatever as the film says in that yelling kitchen breakup scene, it’s all investment
Hair plugs are EVERYWHERE. He’s definitely got ‘em. Trust no hairline!! Actors have to do all that plastic surgery to make themselves look more “valuable.” Meta! Agree re: Lucy’s backstory and attraction to John. I know this is a talky NYC movie but: Less telling, more showing!
I also loved this movie. People who dislike it, I think wanted "How to lose a guy in 10 days", instead of "Working Girl". The things that didn't work for me, were not dissimilar from my "Past Lives" critique -- pacing, an ending that won't quite end. But those issues do not really takeaway from the best NYC film and best American film about romance in some time.
Thanks Doug! Anyone who has seen “Past Lives” would know not to expect rom-com (hopefully). You’re spot on with the end that just won’t quite end. Like the kiss at the end would have been enough but I also wanted to see them fighting 6 mos in the future. Like that would have felt fitting too. I’m so glad you loved hard on this film. It was so damn good!!
I really want to see the movie because I keep seeing very well thought out reviews both positive and negative. I love RomCom so I already figured I'd probably enjoy it but your review made me like 80% sure I'll enjoy it now.
I was waiting for your review and then missed it the day it came out! Agree with you 100%. What would have put the icing on the romcom-y aspect's cake for happy ending would have been if the client who went through the traumatic date experience would have in the end hooked up with Pedro Pascal! Or would that have been to romcom-y for Celine Song?
Ingrid. Was waiting for your comment! And Harry/ Pedro would never date Sophie. If we learned anything about NyC affluent men it’s that 27 is the cutoff!
Haha! I know! But there was a small part of me that was hoping that wasn't true!
So glad you liked the movie! I can't wait to see it as well, but have to wait until August. Also, thank you for linking to my post! And fun fact: that leg lengthening procedure was featured/mentioned in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, haha, and this was years ago. If I remember correctly, the patient in Grey's got an infection, and they had to remove some tissue, ultimately making him even shorter, oops.
Thank you for linking to my costume story and great review!
I loved this film and that was a nice write up
So glad to hear someone having a great time at the theatre, definitely interested to see this given how much I enjoyed Celine Strong's previous film. I am glad the movie addressed some of the very real concerns around dating, and yes I have heard of leg lengthening surgery and it is very real. The CTV series W5 covered it here in Canada, its absolutely terrifying that some men think that it is necessary to risk permanent injury with such a surgery which requires breaking both legs and slowly stretching them via gear like apparatuses that slowly rebreak the leg which then heals resulting it the purported "growth."
If I was in a theatre watching a film and someone's phone kept lighting up, I would get annoyed. I may not say anything, but it would deter me from going to the theatre again. That said, I'm already deterred from going to the theatre anyway (because the last time I went, they turned the sound up too goddamn loud), so there's that!
The premise of this film sounds interesting, the cast is great, and I'll be intrigued to see another Celine Song film.
I get it. I mean yeah it can be annoying. I dim the light and try and be considerate. I can’t write on a notebook in the dark theater. Have tried plenty. Anyways, I guess assume positive intent, is always my go to. And when someone explains be open to it. Plus the theater was huge and empty. She could have moved!
That said. This film is worth it. It was well done.
I have no doubt you were considerate.
I love your review, Beth! The Persuasion connection is so strong, I am kicking myself for not seeing it to begin with. Now that you’ve astutely connected the dots, I don’t think this film would exist without Jane Austen and Anne Eliot. It’s fascinating that Dakota has basically played that character twice in five years. And “ethereal” is the perfect word to describe her. I think Celine Song did an evil genius job of casting her as Lucy. She’s as polarizing as this movie! I love that people are talking about Materialists, that this film has no easy resolutions, and yet is so fun, funny and stylish despite its grimmer realities. (Thank you for the shoutout!!)
Thanks Erin. Good callout on Johnson’s casting being as polarizing as this movie. From one film to the next my love for her definitely ebbs and flows but she is so damn good here. I wanted to see more of her inner self (life) revealed in the deeper elements of her upbringing and connection with John. The film had bits here and there that alluded to her attraction to him and the “scrappy” Lucy but she was so polished all the time it was hard to scratch that surface. The fact that she came out and said, “I’m awful. I’m an awful person. You should hate me” to John showed a level of self awareness about the push and pull of her material wants and needs weighed against her attraction to him. Whereas with John I felt his love for her, deeply. Also I think Evan’s is doing hair plugs but whatever as the film says in that yelling kitchen breakup scene, it’s all investment
Hair plugs are EVERYWHERE. He’s definitely got ‘em. Trust no hairline!! Actors have to do all that plastic surgery to make themselves look more “valuable.” Meta! Agree re: Lucy’s backstory and attraction to John. I know this is a talky NYC movie but: Less telling, more showing!
I also loved this movie. People who dislike it, I think wanted "How to lose a guy in 10 days", instead of "Working Girl". The things that didn't work for me, were not dissimilar from my "Past Lives" critique -- pacing, an ending that won't quite end. But those issues do not really takeaway from the best NYC film and best American film about romance in some time.
Thanks Doug! Anyone who has seen “Past Lives” would know not to expect rom-com (hopefully). You’re spot on with the end that just won’t quite end. Like the kiss at the end would have been enough but I also wanted to see them fighting 6 mos in the future. Like that would have felt fitting too. I’m so glad you loved hard on this film. It was so damn good!!