Always Be My Maybe is a 2019 comedy about a pair of childhood friends who end up falling for each other when they grow up.
First off, yeah, we’ve been here before, Nahnatchka Khan‘s latest romcom a redress of a dozen others like it and while the very thought of going through the obvious mechanics of such a film one more time might offer sincere thoughts of hesitation, let’s just remember that well, that’s all it’s trying to be, and for doing that, this pleasant enough little effort satisfies. The mostly all-asian cast and some lively comedic beats are all well in tune, keeping this a generic if not downright rudimentary experience, but sometimes, especially given all that’s on tap for original content streaming on Netflix, that’ll hit the spot.
Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) has found the big time, the newest celebrated TV chef to gain widespread attention, living the high life and recently engaged to her hot manager Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim). He’s not exactly invested in the romance but hey, whatever, they sure look good together. The paparazzi swoon. Meanwhile, Sasha moves into her new place, back in her hometown of San Francisco, preparing to open a new restaurant. Lo and behold, she runs into an old flame named Marcus Kim (Randall Park), come to install the central air, the two not having seen each other in more than sixteen years, once being best friends and former lovers. They immediately reconnect when things take a turn in Sasha’s love life, but are the two on the same page in terms of what they want?
So, right? You’ve heard all that before, but at least the cast are game with Wong whooping it up in the thankless role, her considerable charms helping a lot in keeping us hanging on her predictable fate. Park is long overdue for a starring role, revealing once again that he’s got all the comedic chops on deck but also some legit leading man gear in reserve that proves he’s ready for better. The two are great together and earn plenty of laughs, with some quality help from the support, including James Saito as Marcus’ dad and a very good bit with a cameo by none other than Keanu Reeves playing, well, himself. Seriously. The guy continues to spin his second coming into genuine good times and gets the most laughs without even trying.
Without any surprises, the story is the real leaky boat, the threadbare script barely finding a note of innovation, aside from the race of the leads if that’s even a thing to note anymore. But it’s almost unfair to take shots at a movie that is purposefully meant to be just one more gumball in the already overstuffed machine. You pick the flavor, it all ends up the same. It’s greatest achievement is how it makes you wish there were more, that you could stay with Sasha and Marcus a little longer, maybe in a different story, the two just so darned appealing on screen it’s almost frustrating it all doesn’t click in sync a little better. Good for a chuckle, worth a look if you’re in the mood for the familiar.