In Celine Song’s modern romantic dramedy, Materialists, the significance of dining choices paints a vivid picture of character dynamics and highlights contrasting lifestyles.
The film, featuring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, explores the intricacies of love triangles, particularly through the lens of restaurant selections.
Restaurant experiences reflect deeper economic disparities between the two male leads vying for Lucy’s affection: Harry, a wealthy private equity partner, and John, a struggling actor and caterer.
Song emphasizes that the ideal first date venue is less about trendy hotspots and more about conversation-friendly environments.
“I’ve been to hot, cool restaurants, but I’ve not enjoyed myself because I can’t hear the person I’m there with,” Song explains.
Quality food matters, but the ambiance enabling connection supersedes it.
As a testament to this, her characters choose Altro Paradiso for their first meal together.
Song describes it as an exceptional date spot where the atmosphere and cuisine blend seamlessly.
Conversely, Lucy often meets clients at Joseph Leonard, a laid-back oyster bar situated in the West Village.
This choice illuminates character traits and core values, particularly as Pascal’s character, Harry, leans towards luxuries reflected in his dining habits.
His character’s depth is illustrated through his meticulous research on the city’s dining scene, echoing an elite social existence where upscale experiences like L’Abeille and Sushi Ichimura are commonplace.
In juxtaposition, Chris Evans’ John epitomizes wit and resourcefulness within a tighter budget.
“We wanted to showcase his savvy knowledge of local food,” shared Song.
John thrives on knowing where to grab an exceptional meal without overspending, opting for local treasures over extravagant experiences.
A scene at Birdy’s, a hidden gem dive bar in Bushwick, serves as an intersection for both men, allowing Lucy to navigate her relationship complexities in a whimsical reunion of interests and cultural backgrounds.
While filming Materialists, Song and location manager Joseph Mullaney faced the challenge of selecting visually striking yet authentic cuisines that matched the show’s overarching message.
Song acknowledges that not every beautiful restaurant translates well to film.
“The energy you feel in person doesn’t always capture through the lens,” she asserts.
The selection process involved finding restaurants that conveyed culinary excellence, appealing aesthetics, and fit the narrative’s emotional landscape.
Interestingly, Song recalls her and the main cast’s informal first dinner together at I Sodi, a beloved Italian eatery, hinting at the chemistry that would later resonate on screen.
Though they did not film there, high-end spots like Nobu were key locations for pivotal scenes.
A conversation at Nobu underscores the divide between luxury and practicality when Lucy questions, “Doesn’t a romantic date need to be expensive?”
The setting offers stark visual contrasts reflecting the characters’ differing realities: for Harry, upscale dining is routine; for Lucy, it’s an uncomfortable stretch of her financial comfort zone.
Song elaborates, “We needed something in a clear way to express luxury.
Then that joke works because the interior is so spectacular.”
This careful selection of venues illustrates how the film navigates a high-stakes urban exploratory path, beckoning the viewer into the contradictions of love and wealth, the simplicity of a hearty meal, and the grandeur of fine dining.
Song recounts the cultural shifts in contemporary dining aesthetics, particularly shaped by reality TV, defining luxury through common imagery: glitzy spaces and expansive dining rooms.
Yet, she believes such standard visual cues might not capture intrigue adequately.
Via Carota, a celebrity hotspot, emphasizes this sentiment, as its charm dissipates on camera despite its accolades.
The film acknowledges that dining can take myriad forms: from bustling diners to intimate bars, the heart of the date is in shared experiences.
Song adds, “Some of my favorite dates have been at diners, McDonald’s, or bars.
The point is to eat together and talk and eat.
That’s really what the most romantic thing about it is.”
In the end, Materialists not only tells a love story but weaves a rich tapestry of New York’s dining scene, where every location speaks to the characters’ identities, their socioeconomic standing, and ultimately, the complicated nature of love in a fast-paced urban setting.
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