Jakarta. The 2000s are possibly the best era for romantic comedies (romcoms), starting from “She's the Man”, “13 Going on 30”, to “27 Dresses”. Amidst a long drought of good romcoms in Hollywood, Celine Song -- who gained massive recognition with “Past Lives” -- released her second film: “Materialists”.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest names -- Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal -- are caught in a love triangle that asks the age-old question of whether money is an important factor in relationships. 

Johnson plays Lucy Mason, a failed actress-turned-matchmaker. She accidentally meets millionaire Harry Castillo (Pedro Pascal) at a client’s wedding. The charming man immediately takes an interest in Lucy. That very same night, Lucy comes across her ex John P (Chris Evans), who is a theater actor and a waiter at the wedding. John clearly hasn’t moved on from Lucy, but their relationship didn’t work due to money problems. Lucy eventually dates Harry, although she ends the relationship after finding out that they lack a genuine emotional connection.

The story puts a laser focus on financial issues and dating criteria. In today’s dating world, people have a set list of boxes that they hope their future significant other will check. There is nothing wrong with having standards, although you might want to reconsider those criteria if they are far too unrealistic. At the end of the day, you might find true love in someone who doesn’t meet your criteria, just like Lucy. She wants to marry someone wealthy, but later realizes that money is not everything.

People may find the romcoms of the 2000s cringeworthy at times. They also have predictable plots, but they are endearing and create a lasting impression even after all those years. It is still debatable whether “Materialists” can revive the romcom golden era, although it will likely open doors for more romance in Hollywood. Celine’s “Materialists” lacks the cheesiness that once filled Hollywood back then. The acoustic department also does not add much romantic touch or fun to the movie, unlike the 2000s romcom soundtracks.

The film is now playing in Indonesian cinemas, and only time will tell what locals would think of this movie. But one thing is for sure that “Materialists” is bound to spark the debate among Indonesian moviegoers on whether Lucy had made the right decision by picking John P, especially in this economy. But debate aside, kudos to Celine for writing one of the cutest proposal lines in American romcoms: “How would you like to make a very bad financial decision?”

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