Asian Persuasion is not your typical romantic-comedy that fills your screens with familiar faces and situations. This rom-com gives you a unique take on marriage with a cast that highlights the beauty of the Filipino culture. It is always great to see a culture you are familiar with on screen and recognize certain cultural norms from your own family. The movie is a lovable story that will be enjoyed by all who watch it. That being said, let’s get into the movie!
The movie starts with Mickey (Dante Basco) and his wife, Avery (KC Concepcion), about to make a major move in their lives: signing their divorce papers. We are told through discussion that it has taken two years to get to this point, and Mickey is just spent and wants it to end. The couple has a young daughter named Sam (Scarlett Sherr) who is wise beyond her years and also a bit mischievous. Mickey owns a small coffee shop in Queens, New York called “The Filla Beans”. (This is such a clever name and I wish they sold merch with their logo!)
Mickey’s best friend, Cas (Kevin Kreider), tries to cheer him up, and one drink leads to two, and that leads to creating a profile for Avery on a dating site. In their hungover state, the two hatch up a plan to find the perfect guy for Avery and coach them on how to win her heart. This will lead to her remarrying and no alimony payments for Mickey…at least that’s the plan in theory. In their search, they find Lee (Paolo Montalban), who, after a few coaching sessions, becomes the guy for Avery. We see their “cute-meet” that was planned by Mickey, since he knows Avery’s schedule so well.
The film has many tender moments, but the few showing how Mickey and Avery met help cement the movie. In these moments, we see how couples that seem to have it all slowly start to drift due to egos and successes. In trying to get past Avery, Mickey realizes that his resentment of her success was one of the causes of their marriage falling apart. The movie shows how love is experienced differently with each character, and as the film progresses, we get small glimpses into the relationships of their friends.
There are some cheesy moments in the movie but that is what makes it so lovable to the audience that will see themselves on the screen. We all need love in our lives and sometimes we are not aware that it is in front of us and Asian Persuasion helps us realize this.
Final Thoughts: Asian Persuasion is a romantic-comedy that reiterates the adage, “You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone”. Through a series of dates with another man, Mickey realizes that maybe getting a divorce is not the ideal move. The movie is filled with an abundance of Filipino culture, and it is refreshing to see this representation on the big screen. For those unaware of the culture, some of the humor and references may go over their head, but this is still a relatable movie for everyone.
Kid-Friendly: The theme of divorce and separation might be difficult for younger kids, but it is handled positively. There is plenty of adult language used in the movie
Violence: There is no violence in the movie.
Set to capture the hearts of viewers with its witty dialogue, charming performances, and unique cultural insights, ASIAN PERSUASION tells the story of a lovable underachiever who hatches a hilarious and outrageous scheme to avoid paying alimony to his fashion-executive ex-wife. The film deftly combines humor, drama, and romance, offering audiences a heartfelt and entertaining exploration of love, relationships, and second chances. Its blend of romance and comedy provides a fresh take on familiar themes, making it a must-watch for rom-com fans.