Netflix's newest romantic comedy stars Randall Park and Ali Wong who also co-writes the sumptuous screenplay with Michael Golamco. "Always Be My Maybe" features an Asian love team that tenderly boils with sincere chemistry. If it is the soul sister of "Crazy Rich Asians," then "Always Be My Maybe" is the superior sibling. The endearingly hilarious Park and Wong are Marcus and Sasha, respectively; two childhood best friends who have lost touch in the wormhole-like age between high school and college then the adult life after. In a span of sixteen years, Sasha becomes a chef-restaurateur, catapulting her career and lifestyle into celebrity hemisphere. Marcus, meanwhile, lives humbly - - - playing with his long-time hip-hop fusion band Hello Peril while maintaining the family business with his adorable father Harry (an infectiously delectable James Saito). The pair wittily reconnect when Sasha's old friend-turned-confidant Veronica (Michelle Buteau) hired Marcus to install air conditioning at the former's temporary house. Thus, the will they-won't they dynamic ensues the mushy comedic sequences. "Always Be My Maybe" is richly laced with delineated timeless frames that remind of colorful uneven captures by Wes Anderson. The early shot of the Golden Bridge lining the stars above young Sasha and Marcus becomes immediately iconic like the instant spark of love at first sight between the childhood sweethearts. But the genuine charm of the movie may be its hearty screenplay. Dialogues that are warm enough to ensure feelings will crumble while its smarts ignites hefty social discussion. Plus, "Always Be My Maybe" boasts slick smithereens of LGBTQ+ semi-plot, too. Going all in on the Asian takeover of mainstream media, the film pedals with efficiency on its charismatic leads. Wong and Park thoroughly tells the story of their characters as Asian rom-com heroes with wordly culture. Because the world revolves as much as their hearts spin. Without much ado about the superficial romance movie tropes, "Always Be My Maybe" expounds on such with the leads as the romantic duo induced with true life intentions and disposition. Yet, this Netflix opus has just a pint-sized shenanigan. Keanu Reeves's extended cameo is brutally funny during the actor's sequences as a theatrical version of himself. It goes for 10-minutes too long, and seemingly unnecessary if not for only comic relief in an already glorious comedy. "Always Be My Maybe" hits right at home where cordiality mostly resides. With its amorous ingredients, the taste of homecoming becomes a celebration when hearts reunite for a lifetime of intimate savory laughter.
Director: Nahnatchka Khan Trailer © YouTube.com/Netflix
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