There’s a curious little film bustling around the cinemas, and it’s giving everyone a lot to talk about. The movie, “Materialists,” is a smart piece with an intriguing plot, headlined by Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans. Its premise—divided loyalties between a perfect, handsome rich guy and an aspiring actor—feels like a romcom. Yet, underneath the surface, it tugged at a deeper cultural chord, one that deserves a conversation.
Firstly, let’s chew on this cultural obsession with New York as the epicenter of all things significant. “Materialists” clings to this weathered trope where culture blooms only on the streets of Manhattan and nowhere else. Once upon a time, such a notion might have had its merits. But today, America’s cultural compass points far beyond the Statue of Liberty. As the narrative has spread its wings across the heartland—from Nashville to the Silicon Valley—the pulse that governs our cultural heartbeat has shifted too. It’s about time the world gave the front porch in Kentucky the same weight as the penthouse in the Big Apple.
Now, on to the movie’s inherent obsession with value from matrimony. “Materialists” raises an eyebrow repeatedly at the notion of finding worth through an engagement ring. A peculiar fixation, it is. One would think the prestigious careers of these New York women would suffice, yet the crux of their existential crisis lies in the lack of a diamond promise. Rather telling, isn’t it? Here lies a society that once equated success strictly with professional triumph but now seems to seek an inexplicable deeper connection.
Peeling back the layers on this idea, it harkens back to the age-old question of identity versus loss. As women have storied careers and stride into boardrooms, what happens when wearing a power suit leaves personal fulfillment unattended? Traditional roles may seem old-fashioned, but they’re woven into identity’s spiritual fabric.
Lastly, there’s a reason we are witnessing cultural shifts where traditional roles seem sidelined. Yet the riches of identity are spiritual, residing in personal growth, both physical and spiritual. This essence is something no professional title can replace. As society pushes forward, “Materialists” serves not only as entertainment but as a cautionary tale against losing sight of what makes the tapestry of identity so rich and profound. Women have the power to make homes, not just in the tangible sense, but in crafting spaces alive with love and life. If our eyes remain fixated solely on stock portfolios and skyscrapers, we might miss the beauty of the nest that truly makes life worth living.
