Love is real, and yearning is real. After watching Materialists, that’s all I could think of.

After watching the trailer not too long ago, I definitely had a different idea in my mind of what the film was going to be—it was listed as a rom-com. I’m a rom-com connoisseur, but this movie hit, and yes, I cried. I’m not sure why I expected a rom-com. I mean, I saw Pedro, Chris, and my girl Dakota and thought, “Absolutely!” But it’s an A24 film—I should’ve known better.

I didn’t cry because of the swoon, but rather because it was so quiet in its message to those who feel that their truth about love—and choosing the right one—is quiet, too. It’s loud in a sad, devastating way that hits home for many, including myself.

I think it hits home for a lot of us because of the realism of it all. We all want the idea of Harry—the one who picks up the bill in one swift motion, the one with a penthouse, who’s 6’4” and bleeds luxury. But more than half the time, it’s just an idea of what we want. So no, I won’t get a Harry. And maybe I never will. I think we can all sit softly with the realness of that truth. I think, like Lucy, we want love over luxury. Why choose something that doesn’t make you question your own being—and not in a bad way either? How do you deny your heart, even when it costs you the Harry?

Now, although I give this film a 3½ out of 5, I appreciated the harsh look at modern dating and the boxes we often find ourselves checking off in our heads—just like Lucy. The idea of still choosing, still running toward the love that could hurt the idea of what you thought you wanted, is something I deeply appreciate—despite all the materialistic factors.

This film left me questioning not just the film, but love, luxury, what we want, and what we desire. Did Lucy really love John? Did she really love Harry? I have the answer to one—and that is, you can see how deeply unhappy she was with Harry. She didn’t tell him what happened with her client—she called John. He saw when she was unhappy. He knew. That speaks volumes, regardless of the questions I’m left with.

There are many critiques I have for the film—and that’s no shock—but for this review, I’d rather appreciate what the film spoke for. It was promoted as a rom-com, yes—but it was more than that. It ended up being the opposite. Genius, if you ask me.

People focusing on the fact that she didn’t choose the beautiful Harry—and yes, a part of me feels the same—are missing the point of the film. Love looks so different for everyone, and Materialists endorses that type of message. It was the perfect gut check for me. It’s a Celine Song film—what did you expect?