Welcome to Something Good, the arts and culture newsletter from The Conversation, which aims to cut through the noise and recommend the very best in new releases and events every fortnight. It's our off week but that doesn't mean nothing is happening in arts and culture.

This week's recommendation might seem like an odd one because our reviewer, expert in romantic comedies Sarah Louise Smyth, and I both found it disappointing. The Materialists is an odd look at modern romance, which some are calling an anti-capitalist love story. It's about 30-year-old matchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) who is torn between two very different men: one new and rich (Harry, played by Pedro Pascal) and the other from her past and poor (John, played by Chris Evans). 

This is an imperfect film and the reason I am recommending it is because I have not stopped talking about it. It's the sort of film to see with friends and then dissect after. Its flaws have struck up much discussion and lively debate, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

The Materialists is the second film by Celine Song, whose debut Past Lives has a very special place in my heart. That story of love across cultures and time, about romanticising parts of ourselves and others, is perfectly shaped and beautifully realised. The Materialists is also beautiful to look at and the writing has moments of true laugh-out-loud genius (a bride's realisation about why she's marrying her fiance) and others of shrewd insight (the impossible expectations some have for love). I was on board in the first half but it took an odd turn and Lucy's actions just didn't make sense to me.

Courtesy of A24

After the screening, my friend Moya and I gabbed all the way home about it, struck by bits we loved and bits that infuriated us. So absorbed in this analysis, we ended up going several stops in the wrong direction of the Bakerloo line.

Some people will love this film. It is achingly stylish and does have moments of brilliance. Others will feel the way I do. Is there such a thing as the perfect rom com? Will we always be a bit let down if it doesn't cleave to our ideas of love? Reply to this email to let us know your thoughts and answer our poll by sorting the films into order of most perfect. 

Last week we asked you, "What's your favourite kind of horror film?" in response to the film Weapons. It seems 50% of you like a slow-building flick with a disturbing sense of unease.

There was something quite old school about the film's discussions of what makes a good match, particularly when it comes to money and status, and neither I nor Sarah could help but make connections with Jane Austen. As The Conversation continues to cover 250 years of the great writer, we've enlisted a large group of experts to battle it out over different aspects of her work in our Jane Austen Fight Club series.

In our debut fight, we have five researchers making their case for her best leading man. Join in by reading the piece and answering our poll. I have a soft spot for Northanger's Henry Tilney with his taste for fiction and his calm and kind demeanour. 

Naomi Joseph
Arts & Culture Editor 

If you enjoy Something Good, please consider donating to The Conversation. In these uncertain times, The Conversation's commitment to promoting open, evidence-based journalism has never been more important. We know this because our articles have been cited in more than 13,000 policy documents around the world. Will you give us your backing so that we can carry on making vital expert analysis free to access for everyone? Donate here