Director Celine Song Clarifies 'Coke and Beer' Controversy Surrounding Materialists Film
In the upcoming romantic comedy "Materialists," starring Dakota Johnson, the enticing narrative unfolds around a professional matchmaker torn between two men - a charming, wealthy private-equity investor (Pedro Pascal) and her broke-yet-genuine ex-boyfriend, an actor (Chris Evans).
Celine Song, the filmmaker who brought us the Oscar-nominated Best Picture contender, "Past Lives," has crafted a refreshing take on the rom-com genre, exploring questions of self-worth (and wealth) as they intertwine with our relationships. In a year filled with romantic comedies tackling income inequality, "Materialists" is no exception.
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Before diving into the film's captivating romance, we found ourselves puzzled by a seemingly trivial yet intriguing detail during a wedding scene: Johnson's character's unconventional drink order of Coke and beer. Here's where things get interesting, as we managed to catch up with Song herself to shed some light on this peculiar choice.
GQ: Let me get this out of the way: When you write a script, do you know little things about your characters that aren't included in the movie?
Celine Song: Oh, definitely! And as I collaborate with the actors, production designers, or costume designers, we work together to add depth to the characters. They will ask questions like, "What's this character's favorite music?" and I'll have an answer for it.
So, in "Materialists," Lucy, Dakota Johnson's character, orders a Coke and beer at a wedding. It seems rather peculiar. Can you explain the reasoning behind this choice?
I wanted the drink order to be so peculiar that it would stand out as something unique about this character. After thorough web research, I came across the "diesel" – a mixture of Coke and beer, quite popular in Germany. Since Lucy comes from a working-class background and is striving for her American dream through her job, I thought this drink would symbolize her humble past. Still, it would also show her quirky, unconventional side, which is further highlighted when John, played by Chris Evans, recognizes her drink order.
Interestingly, the scene unfolds so that John - who's working as a cater-waiter at the wedding - has already anticipated Lucy's arrival and brought her a Coke and half a glass of beer to mix. However, the drink order and its significance aren't further explored in dialogue throughout the movie. Instead, the audience gets a hint of her working-class background during the following scene when we learn about her humble upbringing.
It's fascinating how a seemingly insignificant detail like a drink order can reveal character traits and serve as a storytelling device in a romantic comedy. While we may not get an explicit backstory about why Lucy orders this specific drink, the mystery adds to the charm and intrigue of "Materialists."
In the film "Materialists," characters' personalities are developed through subtle details, such as Lucy's unusual drink order of Coke and beer. This choice was intentionally made by filmmaker Celine Song to reflect Lucy's working-class background and her struggle towards her American dream, while also showcasing her quirky, unconventional nature.
