Chris Evans reflects on a sentimental line in "Materialists" that Dakota Johnson found hard to love.
Chris Evans discusses sentimental line in Materialists movie, reflecting on how a key moment stirred debate between himself and Dakota Johnson during the film’s creation. The romantic dramedy, directed by Celine Song and starring Johnson as Lucy opposite Evans as John, explores emotional complexities that surfaced both on and off the screen, particularly surrounding a line that drew unexpected reactions.
Debating a Sentimental Movie Line
In Materialists, Dakota Johnson portrays Lucy, a successful matchmaker navigating love in New York City, facing a difficult choice between her ex-boyfriend John, played by Chris Evans, and Harry, a wealthy financier brought to life by Pedro Pascal. A pivotal scene features John expressing his enduring affection, saying,
“When I see your face, I see wrinkles and gray hair and children that look like you.”
—Chris Evans, Actor. This line, also included in the film’s trailer, became a point of contention between the lead actors.
During an interview, Johnson openly admitted her discomfort:
“I hated that line,”
—Dakota Johnson, Actor. Evans echoed this sentiment, questioning the initial wording,
“I always felt that the beginning of the line doesn’t sound the way we want it: ‘When I look at your face I see wrinkles and gray hair and children that look like you.’ And I was like, is there any world that that starts out the wrong way?”
—Chris Evans, Actor.
Johnson, emphasizing the lasting impact of the phrase, commented,
“When I look at your face I see wrinkles,”
and then added,
“That’s all I heard. That’s all I heard for the entire movie, every single scene we had together.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actor.
Director Celine Song’s Creative Decisions
Despite their hesitations, Celine Song, the filmmaker known for Past Lives, insisted the line remain as written. Evans remarked,
“This is a testament to Celine because I agreed with that sentiment. I was like, I just don’t know. Does it sound not great? We landed in the end by saying ‘and children that look like you,’ but she was just like, ‘No, keep it.’ And I do think it works.”
—Chris Evans, Actor.
Song drew on her real-life experiences for the movie, inspired by her time working as a matchmaker while writing plays to support herself. She shared with Entertainment Weekly,
Image of: Chris Evans
“In that time, I learned more about people and what’s in their hearts than I have in any other period of my life,”
—Celine Song, Director, before adding,
“I was interested in that gap between the way we talk about the partners that one wants and what it’s like to actually meet somebody that is a partner for life.”
—Celine Song, Director.
Emotional Responses from the Cast
On set, the dialogue sparked playful exchanges. Johnson imagined the scenario, urging Evans,
“Look at me with love in your eyes, OK? ‘When I look at your face, I see wrinkles.’ Can you imagine?”
—Dakota Johnson, Actor. Evans acknowledged the awkwardness with a laugh, calling the moment “brutal.”
Johnson further detailed Lucy’s journey, describing her as
“on this journey of trying to figure out whether she wants a life that she thinks will make her happy, or a life that she knows will be extremely challenging, but she will be actually loved.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actor. She described the movie as a
“story of bravery, really, and fear,”
—Dakota Johnson, Actor, and elaborated,
“Allowing yourself to be loved is scary, and really loving another person is scary. A woman having the courage to open her heart is what I loved about it.”
—Dakota Johnson, Actor.
Looking Ahead to Materialists’ Release
Materialists will debut in theaters on Friday, inviting audiences to explore the nuanced portrayals of love, risk, and self-discovery crafted by Celine Song. The film’s exploration of emotional vulnerability, paired with candid moments from stars like Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson, emphasizes the challenges and humor that can surface when art imitates life.
By delving into themes such as the realities behind romantic ideals and the courage required to accept love, Materialists is set to connect with viewers seeking sincerity and depth in modern relationships. As the audience watches Lucy, John, and Harry’s paths intersect, they will witness the personal growth and honesty that define the film, promising a memorable cinematic experience in New York City’s vibrant world.
