2019 is the year of Keanu Reeves. So far this year, his films 'John Wick Chapter 3 - Parabellum' and 'Destination Wedding' have already hit cinemas. He'll star in 'Toy Story 4' in June. Now he's taking over Netflix too.
Of course, there's more to enjoy in 'Always Be My Maybe' besides Keanu Reeves. In fact, Keanu isn't even the lead. Rather it's led by Ali Wong and Randall Park. They play childhood friends Sasha and Marcus who don't speak to each other for years after a feud in university. They reconnect as adults - she now being a celebrity chef engaged to a restaurant developer while he works for his dad. As they rekindle their relationship, both Sasha and Marcus can't help but wonder, should they have been more than friends?
Wong is no stranger to Netflix having had both her stand-up shows 'Baby Cobra' and 'Hard Knock Wife' distributed on the streamer. Park would be known for a whole heap of credits, including 'Veep', 'Aquaman', 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' and 'The Interview'. For us though, his crowning achievement will alway be playing Asian Jim on 'The Office'. As Sasha and Marcus, the two are adorably dorky and Michelle Buteau is another great addition as Sasha's pregnant assistant. While the laugh-out-loud moments can be consistent, there are enough to keep you going - and it's much funnier than you expect.
When Keanu Reeves comes in, Dear God. The comedy is just next level. We knew Keanu could be funny with the 'Bill & Ted' films but this just reestablishes that the guy can do no wrong. The scenes featuring him as Sasha's new boyfriend - playing himself, by the way - are brilliant. And what you see in the trailer (above) isn't even the best part. At one point he asks if there are any dishes available that play with the concept of time. That's the kind of genius you have in the script (which, by the way, is also from Wong and Park, alongside Michael Golamco).
Aside from Reeves' appearance, the first half of 'Always Be My Maybe' is where it's strongest. In act three, as the leads' ambitions and statuses come head-to-head, it all becomes very real, and you worry if this can even work out. In the end, it has all that regular rom com shtuff you'd expect like a conflict at the start of act three; plenty of cheese; and a neatly tied up ending. Still, Keanu aside (we mentioned Keanu Reeves is in this, right?), the latest romantic comedy from Netflix (they sure do love those) is surprisingly enjoyable.
