A24 recently released films that served as references for their latest movie, Materialists. The rom-com was directed by Celine Song and centers around Lucy, a driven matchmaker in New York City, who gets caught in a love triangle between her perfect match and her ex-boyfriend. The movie was inspired by many adaptations of classic literature novels, a couple of Mike Leigh movies, and a few films with a similar matchmaker trope. Most notably, the list contains four film adaptations of Jane Austen novels. Let’s take a look at each of these novels and their film counterparts!
Pride & Prejudice
Austen’s 1813 novel follows the lives of Mr and Mrs. Bennet’s five unmarried daughters as they meet and fall in love with suitors. At the forefront of the book is Elizabeth Bennet’s turbulent relationship with Mr. Darcy, an arrogant and prideful landowner. If you haven’t read this novel, you are missing out on one of the best romances of all time and, dare I say, the most iconic enemies-to-lovers relationship ever!
Austen’s story gave way to many contemporary movies like Bridget Jones’s Diary, Austenland, and Bride and Prejudice, but it was the 2005 adaptation starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen that was listed as a reference for Materialists. While some praise and defend the film to no end, others criticize it for its deviations from the novel, odd pacing, and infamous, mildly spicy alternate ending. Love it most ardently or despise it, Joe Wright’s adaptation has become a standout film that Materialists echoes visually and thematically.
Emma
Austen’s fourth novel follows Emma Woodhouse, a witty, clever, and independent young woman whose unlikeable nature makes us love her even more. Her knack for meddling in others’ lives in the name of matchmaking leads her to a striking realization of her own romantic feelings. Through its amusing comedy and timeless relatability, Emma is one of Austen’s most enthralling tales.
There have been many movie adaptations of Emma, including one featuring Gwyneth Paltrow from 1996, and a few modern retellings like Clueless. Materialists referenced the 2020 adaptation, which stars Anya Taylor-Joy. This version is visually stunning and generally pleasing with the exception of a few shortcomings. Lucy’s character in Materialists definitely harbors some of Emma’s self-satisfied personality.
Mansfield Park
Trigger Warning: The book and film discuss sensitive topics such as slavery, incest, and neglect that are not elaborated on in this article. Please exercise personal care if you engage with this content.
Mansfield Park is often seen as the black sheep of Jane Austen’s novels for its engagement with heavier topics and social issues. It follows the coming-of-age of Fanny Price, a timid young girl sent to live with her wealthy relatives. At its core, this book is a sharp critique of society that utilizes satire and irony to expose the hypocrisies of class, wealth, and morality.
The 1999 film adaptation of Mansfield Park was listed as one of the references for Materialists. Despite the deviations from the original novel, such as rearrangement of events, change of tone, and characterization differences, this is one of the more widely accepted adaptations. There have also been a few retellings such as, Kate Watson’s novel Seeking Mansfield. Though set in vastly different societies, both Mansfield Park and Materialists engage in discourse surrounding wealth, class, and romantic ideals.
Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility was Jane Austen’s first published novel, released anonymously under the name “A Lady.” It centers around the lives of two sisters who are forced to move to a humble cottage after their father’s death. There is not one, but two love triangles in this novel. Oh, the drama!
In the references list, the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility was referenced. To this day, this film is still praised as one of the best Jane Austen adaptations. Emma Thompson, an iconic British actress and devoted Jane Austen fan, spent five years writing the screenplay. In it, she stars alongside Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman. We can definitely feel Sense and Sensibility’s abundant drama in Materialists!
Whether it be an adaptation, a retelling, or a slight reference, we always love seeing Jane Austen’s work mentioned in contemporary media. Let us know what you thought about Materialists on X/Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!
If you want to learn more about Jane Austen’s novels, check out this article!
Looking for romance book recommendations? Browse our Love is in the Air: Contemporary Romance collection on Bookshop!
