Netflix’s “Always Be My Maybe” will make you laugh a lot and cry, shockingly.
This romantic comedy directed by Nahnatchka Khan is just as sweet as “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” only more mature.
“Always Be My Maybe” is the story of two friends Marcus Kim (Randall Park) and Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) who fall out in their teenage discovery years. Sasha moves to New York while Marcus stays back in San Francisco. They reconnect after 15 years, thanks to Sasha’s friend and assistant
Veronica (Michelle Buteau) but they are worlds apart.
The Kims are Koreans and the Trans, Vietnamese. They are neighbours. But Sasha’s parents work late so she’s home by herself most times. The story starts in 1996 when Marcus offers Tasha soup. She accepts and ends up having supper with Marcus’s family. The 12-year olds would become best friends from then until they fall out in 2003.
Much like “Crazy Rich Asians,” the cast of Netflix’s “Always Be My Maybe” is largely Asian. The cast have great chemistry and overall, they are phenomenal. The 12-year old Marcus (Emerson Min), 12-year old Sasha (Miya Cech) and Marcus’s parents Harry (James Saito) and Judy (Susan Park) are adorable. Marcus’s girlfriend, Jenny (Vivian Bang) is genuine. And Veronica is a true friend.
As for the female lead, Wong, it is pleasing that she was portrayed as a boss lady fully in charge but not cold. And the styling of the Tasha Tran character is absolutely gorgeous. On his part, Park is perfectly awkward. There is a cameo from a big action movie star which will blow your mind. Albeit only two scenes, it was a pleasant surprise to see him in a comedic role and he pulled it off extraordinarily.
Netflix’s “Always Be My Maybe” could have been just another romcom but stands out for its underlying story of handing down Asian traditions. Worthy of note is that the screenplay is by the lead actors and comedians Wong and Park. And they are joined by Michael Golamco. The storytelling is clever, effortlessly linking the first scene with the concluding part of the movie. So, when Sasha pulled out the menu card, it was difficult hold back the tears.
The movie also comes with an amazing nineties soundtrack. If you are looking for a heartwarming movie to enjoy this holiday, this one comes highly recommended. It’s streaming on Netflix.
