From the glossiness of the art direction from Cheryl Marion [“The Predator”] to the magnetic chemistry of the cast [which also includes the always reliable Michelle Buteau as Sasha’s assistant] and the mouth-watering cuisine, Always Be My Maybe is a delightful, funny, and wonderfully layered romp that’s smart enough to break traditional rom-com rules.
Like the kimchi stew it prominently features, this is comfort food at its best. Given its origins, it should feel like something out of a lab, but this is a charming crowd-pleaser in the best sense.
This movie is truly a great, funny, feel-good movie that is a must see. It contains amazing character relationship development and truly makes the viewer happy.
People on this site seem very upset by the idea that there can be a movie whose characters happen to be Asian. But this is a fantastic RomCom, with the characters’ and actors’ background as incidental to the plot as any movie about Italians in Brooklyn or Irish kids from Boston. If all you’re seeing is a movie about Asians, you’re completely missing the point. The simple fact is that Ali Wong and Randall Park wrote themselves a hilarious showcase for their immense talents. Park in particular breaks out a number of skills I didn’t know he had. Beyond that, while it does echo several common RomCom tropes, it does so in ways that don’t feel forced. The movie doesn’t break much new ground beyond its portrayal of a culture that otherwise gets very little screen time, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a RomCom, and it’s one that is funny, charming, and hits you in all the feels. I was sad when it was over, and that’s not something I often say about movies in this genre.
While the charm of Always Be My Maybe can and should be attributed to its performers, there’s a real sweetness in its reframing of the romantic comedy as the struggle of two people who already have fulfilling lives, attempting to add to them by rediscovering lost pieces of themselves in each other.
It’s an irresistible romantic romp that turns the familiar into something sweet, sassy and laugh-out-loud funny.
The script relies too often on Sasha’s bestie or Marcus’ father pushing the destined couple toward each other, but its smaller moments of naturalistic riffing make up for the rigid plotting.
Some of the writing is sparkling. Joke for joke, there’s probably just enough to keep you laughing. But if Always Be My Maybe isn’t terrible, it’s still lackluster enough to make you feel that underserved and underrepresented audiences deserve more.
Always Be My Maybe feels a lot like a movie propped up by a stunt, a high-gloss romantic comedy so mired in triteness and unconvincing emotions that its main recommendation is the appealing diversity of its cast.
Very funny rom com that also tugs at your heart strings. The team behind this is the Asian American A team! Ali Wong and Randall Park show great chemistry [being great lifelong friends IRL] and the rest of the crew rocks. Keanu Reeves and Daniel Dae Kim are hilarious as caricatures of the worst boyfriends possible. This is like the modern day When Harry Met Sally. There's a ton in this movie. A rom com first but also a movie about women empowerment and independence. A loving glimpse into Asian American culture without the over explaining bc it's more fun to just dive in. The dim sum with the aunties giving Marcus [Randall] extra shumais I was hilarious! I almost fell of my chair. I can't say enough good things. I am definitely one of the fans that was waiting a bated breath and high expectoration a when this dropped. It did not disappoint! Go watch it w your significant other - it's good for your relationship!
Very Fresh-Off-The-Boat-ish. Wish it could've been more creative than that. There were some scenes that probably wasn't needed. But overall, it was funny and doesn't have the typical Asian stereotype of jokes [i.e. Asian parents being disappointed of their Asian kids not being successful and all that]. Oh, and Randall Park rapping his Keanu Reeves song!
Predictable by all means. But Keanu Reeves appearance was pretty good and when that's the best part of your film you kinda know the limits of its reach and quality.
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
Great movie if you're a 4th wave Feminist. Puzzling movie if you think respecting women means respecting men as well. The first 20 minutes is great and you begin to expect some excellent character development, 90 minutes later -nope. character arc = man realizing "the woman is always right" my wife and I found it disappointing
What is the theme of always be my maybe?
In its 101-minute run time, “Always Be My Maybe” is a breeze to get through, with both humorous and emotional moments expressing its core theme: the importance of remembering your roots, no matter where life may take you.