By: Keaton Marcus

Yep, its another rom-com, a genre we have become almost too familiar with. They love each other, they don't, and then they favor each other once more--it's like a theme-park ride with these type of pictures. However, you can pull off your shades for "Always Be My Maybe", another film that has managed to pull off what only the classics have achieved. Putting that all aside, give a solid round of applause to Netflix studios, who have produced an infectious, often hilarious and touching rom-com starring stand-up comedian Ali Wong and Asian actor Randall Park. While it's familiar as hell, Nahnatchka Khan's comedy is nevertheless a massive success--injecting another set of actual concrete ideas in a genre that seems to be repeating itself. The film doesn't only work for some good fun, "Always Be My Maybe" delivers on both the laughs and the romantic jumblings of life.

Sasha (Wong) and Marcus (Park) have been friends since their childhoods, but as they grow up the two buds started to grow apart. Now, adults, Sasha is a celebrity chef and Marcus is stuck in the slums of San Francisco with a struggling rap band (Hello Peril). Ignore the slight "Notting Hill" vibes of celebrity loves the average guy. After an argument in high school after they lost their virginity, the two haven't spoken to each other since. However, Sasha is traveling back to the Golden State to open a new restaurant--setting up for a possible get together. Recently, Sasha has broken up with the cheating, rich restaurateur Brandon Choi--meanwhile, Marcus is in a relationship with the dreadlocked Jenny (an oddly energetic Vivian Bang), which is struggling (on his side at least).

Don't worry, amidst all the relationship complications--there's the wonderfully easy chemistry between the cast. Sasha and her pregnant business bestie Victoria (a brilliant Michelle Buteau) deliver the banter needed in the plot difficulties--easing audiences into the many gags the picture has to spare. With Marcus, it's watching his embarrassing rap band perform in petite night clubs--singing hysterical tunes--one dubbed "Tennis Ball". Most of the good laughs come in the incredible first act, and the slow up a little nearing the ending as the picture occasionally falls into the generic cliches of the genre--but the couple flaws seldom overcome the great achievement that is the film. The big act in the second half of the film is Sasha's newest date, "John Wick" star Keanu Reeves.

Reeves plays himself, and fresh out of both "John Wick: Chapter 3" and "Toy Story 4"-- it's awesome to see the actioner hit the screen constantly. His performance is comic preciousness and wholly saves the picture from running into the dangerous face of mediocrity. Completely jock-full of wit, and having an odd combination of both self-absorption and a good-natured touch. After Reeves' excellent cameo, "Always Be My Maybe" ends a nearly excellent rom-com with great performances, and a solid sense of romantic complications. Despite the few rumbles along the road.

The final opinion is: Netflix's "Always Be My Maybe" is an almost-perfect rom-com with superb acting by Ali Wong and Randall Park, and a good-natured story--giving the familiar genre another film worth a watch...$PLURGE IT

By: Keaton Marcus