Always Be My Maybe is a lot of things. It’s an awkward-but-sweet love story between childhood friends Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park). It’s a touching family film, especially for those of Asian descent. Above all, it’s a comedy that allowed Keanu Reeves to live his most obnoxious self.
What many may not realize among all those themes is the film highlights the strengths of Asian women. This was best exemplified by Sasha, who is a successful chef and restaurateur.
The film starts out with Sasha being engaged to her brand manager, Brandon (Daniel Dae Kim). After deciding to push their wedding back a bit so they can focus on their respective jobs, she goes back to her hometown in San Francisco to open a new restaurant. She then meets up with Marcus, who she hasn’t seen after a fight 15 years prior.
Fast forward a bit, we see Sasha realizing her worth and how transactional her engagement feels. She breaks up with him over the phone, shouting expletives that scare both children and the goat at her friend’s baby shower. Yikes.
Sasha continues her work, then starts dating Keanu Reeves. That didn’t go so well either after he and Marcus got into a scuffle. Let’s just say Keanu’s method acting and fragile masculinity didn’t mix well. But I digress.
We then see Sasha and Marcus start to date, and they attend some fancy events where Sasha is considered a celebrity. Rightfully so because she’s achieved so much in her career after all. The conflict comes when Marcus expressed he doesn’t want to follow her to New York, where she wants to live out her dreams and ambitions.
There were a lot of bumps in Sasha’s way, but she still worked her butt off. She even learned to reconnect with her parents, who’ve been absent most of her life. Plus, she continued to support Marcus and his band, Hello Peril, when they were on a break. She remained generous and considerate while chasing her dreams.
What’s also great is that Sasha wasn’t a victim to the tired rom-com trope that a woman should compromise to meet her partner halfway. As The Muse noted, her strong character wasn’t tamed by the film’s plot, nor by Marcus’ inability to move away from his comfort zone (which is literally his childhood bedroom).
Sasha’s character can also be seen as that of a “nonconforming Asian” who followed their gut, and not what their family dictated. She’s also outspoken and knows what she wants out of life. “Asian women are celebrated for their compliance, adaptability, gentleness and youthful sweetness. They are taught to play the femme fatale, the dutiful daughters, and the charming wife, but not to be assertive or ambitious in their career,” Psychology Today noted.
Then again, it’s also perceived that The Careerist cited a study that found over 76 percent of women of color are more likely to seek advancement. 83 percent of Asian women also vie for promotions versus men.
Always Be My Maybe made a lot of people fuzzy inside and laugh out loud. At the same time, thank god they gave an Asian woman like Sasha the power to lead her life. We also appreciate how it showed Marcus putting his pride aside to support his partner’s endeavors.
Now that is the real meaning of #couplegoals.
Art by Tricia Guevara
Photos courtesy of Netflix
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