“Past Lives,” written and directed by Celine Song, was in my Top Ten Films of 2023. This movie, also written and directed by Song, is just as good, and is my favorite film of 2025 so far! To be fair, I am a huge Dakota Johnson (Lucy) fan, but I still think it’s a terrific romantic drama, with considerable comedy tossed in (although it’s not quite not funny enough to be a rom-com.) It also has plenty of depth, even though it’s light-hearted. The acting is first rate, the story is simultaneously simple, layered, and complex, and some of the scenes are fantastic. The film was inspired by Song’s prior job as a matchmaker.
Lucy works as a matchmaker in Manhattan, which is a brutal dating scene. Lucy excels at her job and has introduced nine couples who have gotten married. White attending the expensive wedding of a client, she sits at the singles table and meets the groom’s brother, Harry (Pedro Pascal). Harry is every woman’s dream. Lucy tells him that he’s a “Unicorn” – a 10 in every important category, such as looks, income, intelligence, sophistication, etc. She suggests that he become one of her clients, but he wants to date her. At the wedding, she sees her ex, John (Chris Evans), who that night is working for the wedding catering company. Their chemistry is obvious, but she left him years ago because he was a broke, not-made-it -yet actor, and apparently still is.
Harry and Lucy start dating. At first, everything seems to be going well. Unfortunately, one of Lucy’s clients has a negative dating experience and sues Lucy’s matchmaking company. This situation sends Lucy into a tailspin. She feels guilty about the match she made and loses confidence in herself. Lucy wonders whether she really helps her clients, or just exploits their desperation. Harry notices that Lucy is “off,” but, instead of opening up to him, she calls John. Harry is perfect on paper and she will never want for anything material, but John is the one she loves. Who will she choose?
The plot is your basic love triangle with all the three characters real, self-aware, and vulnerable. The screenplay is terrific, and I will be surprised if it doesn’t receive an A.A. nomination. I think the movie is good enough to receive one, too! You can trust me, I am a “material” witness!
"Past Lives," written and directed by Celine Song, was in my Top Ten Films of 2023. This movie, also written and directed by Song, is just as good, and is my favorite film of 2025 so far! To be fair, I am a huge Dakota Johnson (Lucy) fan, but I still think it's a terrific romantic drama, with considerable comedy tossed in (although it's not quite not funny enough to be a rom-com.) It also has plenty of depth, even though it's light-hearted. The acting is first rate, the story is simultaneously simple, layered, and complex, and some of the scenes are fantastic. The film was inspired by Song's prior job as a matchmaker. Lucy works as a matchmaker in Manhattan, which is a brutal dating scene. Lucy excels at her job and has introduced nine couples who have gotten married. White attending the expensive wedding of a client, she sits at the singles table and meets the groom's brother, Harry (Pedro Pascal). Harry is every woman's dream. Lucy tells him that he's a "Unicorn" – a 10 in every important category, such as looks, income, intelligence, sophistication, etc. She suggests that he become one of her clients, but he wants to date her. At the wedding, she sees her ex, John (Chris Evans), who that night is working for the wedding catering company. Their chemistry is obvious, but she left him years ago because he was a broke, not-made-it -yet actor, and apparently still is. Harry and Lucy start dating. At first, everything seems to be going well. Unfortunately, one of Lucy's clients has a negative dating experience and sues Lucy's matchmaking company. This situation sends Lucy into a tailspin. She feels guilty about the match she made and loses confidence in herself. Lucy wonders whether she really helps her clients, or just exploits their desperation. Harry notices that Lucy is "off," but, instead of opening up to him, she calls John. Harry is perfect on paper and she will never want for anything material, but John is the one she loves. Who will she choose? The plot is your basic love triangle with all the three characters real, self-aware, and vulnerable. The screenplay is terrific, and I will be surprised if it doesn't receive an A.A. nomination. I think the movie is good enough to receive one, too! You can trust me, I am a "material" witness!
Materialists: Worth Your $
Materialists: Worth Your $
2025-06-16
David
85
8.5
My Favorite Film of 2025 So Far!
User Rating : No Ratings Yet !
9
