One small change to a movie formula can make it feel fresh and new, and reinvigorate a genre. One change most people can get behind is a little diversity in lead characters. Crazy Rich Asians proved that a rom com party movie can feel something revelatory…by simply showing what one of those movies is like for Chinese and American Chinese actors. Now, Randall Park and Ali Wong come along and do their San Fran Asian spin on the When Harry Met Sally story with Always Be My Maybe.
Sasha (Wong) and Marcus (Park) have been friends since they were little, when Sasha would basically live with Marcus, his dad Harry (James Saito) and his mom Judy (Susan Park). In high school, something tragic happens to the two of them, and for one brief moment they comfort each other by sleeping together. This act forever alters their friendship, and the two fall out until years later, when power chef Sasha moves back to San Francisco and runs into Marcus while trying to open her new restaurant.
Always Be My Maybe revolves around Randall Park and Ali Wong, who also co wrote this script. The story is your Netflix approved rom com, but written to cater to the stars’ strengths. Wong is the charismatic center of the movie, using those hipster glasses, some inspired rants, and funny dance moves to get us to fall in love with her. Park is her opposite; he plays Marcus very reserved, happy to be quiet and react in group settings and opening up when one on one. The two of them together pair well, letting Sasha lead all the talking while Marcus drops in a funny line or confused look. The movie’s at its comedic best when Wong is holding court and Park gets to show off his hilarious set of facial expressions, none better than the best 20 minutes of the movie set in a high end restaurant with a cameo featuring an actor going through a personal renaissance at the moment.
The tragic event referred to (mini SPOILER) is the death of Marcus’s mom, which sends Marcus and Sasha into different directions after they sleep together. Sasha becomes empowered by Judy, the mother she never had, and becomes a fierce independent woman. However, she is so focused on her work that she leaves herself zero to time introspect about what really makes her happy Park, on the other hand, clings tightly to the little world he loves, staying close to home with his dad and his band Hello Peril. But he’s so content he’s terrified to venture outside of his comfort zone to his personal and creative detriment. The emotional power of Always Be My Maybe is Sasha and Marcus’s reconnection, as both open up in ways they were previously wary to do because of their lost friendship years ago. What’s nice about this arrangement is the enemy isn’t a current boyfriend or girlfriend (they’re dispatched of pretty early on), it’s personal character choices, forcing Sasha and Marcus to actually evolve and grow as people in an organic way.
This is still Netflix we’re talking about though. Always Be My Maybe gives you what their rom com formula has determined you want, just with Chinese and Korean Americans instead of Caucasian Americans. At least it exposes us to the comedic talents of Ali Wong and Randall Park, who I hope 1) get more leading roles after this and 2) got to meet Mariah Carey because of the crazy publicity this movie gives her music.