Recensioni degli utenti

In Asian Persuasion, directed by Jhett Tolentino, a desperate ex-husband hatches a wildly misguided plan: find a new husband for his successful ex-wife so he can stop paying alimony. The premise alone hints at the film's tone - raunchy, chaotic, and willing to push the boundaries of rom-com absurdity. For the most part, Asian Persuasion captures this energy, blending crude humour with heartfelt moments in a story about love, regret, and the immigrant experience. But while the film has its moments, its uneven execution makes it difficult to fully embrace it.

Mickey de los Santos (Dante Basco), a struggling Queens-based Filipino coffee shop owner, is drowning in financial stress. His alimony payments to his ex-wife, Avery Chua (KC Concepcion), a thriving fashion executive, weigh heavily on him, even as he remains a devoted father to their daughter, Sam (Scarlett Sherr). One night, after getting high with his best friend Caspian Jang (Kevin Kreider), Mickey creates a dating profile for Avery, only to wake up to a flood of matches. What starts as an impulsive, half-baked joke quickly spirals into something more as Caspian encourages Mickey to take advantage of the situation. If Avery remarries, Mickey's financial burdens disappear. And just like that, they embark on a questionable matchmaking mission, whether Avery wants one or not.

This setup lends itself to wild antics, and Asian Persuasion leans into them hard. From Mickey's misguided matchmaking attempts to absurd disguises and mishaps (an artificial leg landing on a Korean BBQ grill is one for the books), gags that range from amusing to downright cringeworthy overwhelm the film. The humour often renders crude - sometimes deliberately so, other times unnecessarily forced, like a scene where Sam asks her grandmother about a 'hand job.' Despite its uneven comedic execution, the film has an undeniable charm.

Lee K. (Paolo Montalban), as a socially awkward financial analyst who unknowingly becomes a pawn in Mickey's plan, best embodies the film. Montalban offers a standout performance, his comedic timing - particularly his physical humour - bringing a surprising depth to what could have been a one-note character. His growing relationship with Avery offers some of the film's best romantic beats, with moments that feel genuinely sweet rather than manufactured for laughs. This is where Asian Persuasion truly works - when it softens its edges and allows for introspection.

Subtle cultural commentary threads through Asian Persuasion, from the struggles of Asian designers fighting against perceptions of cheap labour to Caspian's internalized bias against dating Asian women. The film also authentically portrays first and second-generation immigrant experiences, specifically the weight of expectations, the fear of failure, and the struggle between personal ambition and familial duty. Mickey's reluctance to pursue his culinary dreams, shaped by the pressure of his parents' expectations even from afar, affords the film one of its most sincere confessions.

A warm colour palette enhances this emotional undercurrent, casting New York in soft, inviting hues, highlighting its characters' vibrancy and isolation. Long shots of the park, quiet moments in the city, and the contrast between bustling streets and intimate spaces give the film a lived-in feel, making its more reflective moments feel natural rather than staged. It helps that Asian Persuasion has a small, close-knit cast as their interactions feel effortless. That same warmth carries through the film's instrumental score, which complements its visuals and reinforces its gentler side. When the music is at its most delicate, so is the film.

More than anything, Asian Persuasion thrives when it isn't trying so hard. Its best moments come from the cast's natural chemistry, tender glimpses of love, and thoughtful cultural observations. But its reliance on crude humour and over-the-top gags dulls what could have been a more compelling story of love, regret, and self-discovery. The film certainly has heart but doesn't always know how best to showcase it.

I honestly didn't expect to feel so seen by a rom-com. Each of the characters was relatable, and my husband and I caught ourselves laughing in between jokes bc we've experienced people like this in real life. It's more than a rom-com. It's a fresh take on being a FilAm, and I highly encourage everyone to watch this film.

I appreciate that this didn't punch down on any female characters. It's a relief to not see women portrayed as shrill or mean-spirited. As a Filipina, It's refreshing. Bonus points for not making the Filipino accent the center of the humor. It's a tired trope, and I'm glad that it was nowhere to be found here.

This is a cute rom com that put a smile on my face! The cast is fresh and dynamic, especially the little girl that played Avery's daughter. She always had the perfect timing and expression. I loved that it was set in New York City and how everything was so recognizable to me. The director, Jhett Tolentino shows how talented he is, in his directorial debut. He certainly creates beautiful scenes. I'm looking forward to seeing more from him. The cast had a nice chemistry with one another. You can tell they worked well together. It's also refreshing to see so many talented Asian people working on the same film. Kudos to the cast and crew!

Without giving the movie away, I can only share that the movie is akin to "Friends with Benefits" and those series of teen movies from the early 2000s but without sex scenes though. I'm talking about how you would feel at the end of the movie. After laughing your ass off and enjoying yourself - by yourself or with the company of friends.

It's a feel good movie about Asians Americans but not so heavy on the Asian cultures. Everyone can relate to this honest movie about "making it" career-wise.

On a separate note, I'm so proud of all those involved In making this film happen - in the midst of a pandemic. Major brava/o to all!

It is always a difficult task to like Filipino films. They usually are overly melodramatic (mostly from Star Cinema, Regal Films, Viva Films). Plots that you already know, heard and seen before. And VERY predictable endings!

Asian Persuasion renewed my fate in Filipino filmmakers. A lot of thoughts were put into the development of this project. It is pretty obvious in the intentionality of the storytelling to its execution. So many remarkable scenes that blew me away. And it's a low-budget independent film shot during a pandemic!

Impressive for freshmen filmmaker duo, screenwriter Mike Ang and director Jhett Tolentino!

"Asian Persuasion" has some outdated dialogue and utter predictability, but this romantic comedy gets by on earnest charm. It's a story about an ex-husband who plays marital matchmaker for his ex-wife so his alimony payments can end. The cast members have believable chemistry with each other, which makes up for some uneven acting.

Directed by Jhett Tolentino and written by Mike Ang, "Asian Persuasion" is Tolentino's feature-film directorial debut. The movie takes place in New York City and is centered around a group of Filipino American friends. A lot of the movie has characteristics (including the music score) that's reminiscent of a family sitcom, but some of the language (cursing) and some of the subject matter (sex talk) are adult-oriented.

"Asian Persuasion" begins by showing coffee shop owner Mickey De La Santos (played by Dante Basco) signing divorce papers to officially end his marriage to fashion designer Avery Chua (played by KC Concepcion), who is seated with her attorney across the table from Mickey. Mickey, who doesn't have a divorce attorney, let Avery have everything she wanted in the divorce settlement. He barely wants to look at the divorce papers before he signs them.

Mickey and Avery have a 10-year-old daughter together named Sam (played by Scarlet Sherr), who is inquisitive and adorable. Avery has full custody of Sam, while Mickey has visitation rights. It's later revealed that Mickey and Avery's marriage ended because he was resentful that her career has been more successful than his. Mickey's dream was to open his own restaurant, but he gave up on that dream sometime after Avery was born.

After the divorce papers are signed, Mickey's best friend Caspian "Cass" Jang (played by Kevin Kreider), a commitment-phobic bachelor who works as a bartender, mildly scolds Mickey for not having a divorce attorney because Cass thinks Mickey got a raw deal in the divorce settlement. About half of Mickey's income will go to pay for Avery's alimony. Avery also has other expenses, such as child support and rent for his small apartment and small coffee shop in Queens.

Mickey and Cass celebrate Mickey's divorce by getting drunk and stoned on marijuana at Mickey's apartment while Sam is asleep in a nearby bedroom. The next morning, Mickey finds out that in his intoxicated state of mind the night before, he created a dating app profile for Avery. Her account already has several replies from potential suitors.

Cass thinks it's an opportunity for Mickey to find a new husband for Avery so Mickey will no longer have to pay alimony. Mickey is persuaded to give this idea a try. They find a potential suitor for Avery when a Wall Street executive named Lee-Kwan Prince (played by Paolo Montalban), who goes by the nickname Lee, responds to Avery's profile. Lee is admittedly socially awkward.

Mickey pretends to be Avery online, and shows up for the blind date to meet Lee, who is shocked and disgusted when Mickey tells Lee about his plan. But then, Lee changes his mind because he's very attracted to Avery, and Mickey has offered to coach Lee on how to win over Avery. Mickey advises Lee on where Lee should take Avery on dates.

It leads to some very corny slapstick scenes of Mickey feeding Lee things to say through an earpiece in date conversations with Avery. Mickey, sometimes accompanied by Cass, does surveillance of these dates from afar in ridiculous disguises. In one of the disguises, Mickey wears a big hat, sunglasses and very large, fake-looking moustache.

The movie has flashbacks to the relationship that Mickey and Avery had before their marriage fell apart, beginning with their "meet cute" at an outdoor party where Mickey accidentally set a Tiki bar on fire. These flashbacks (which include scenes from their marriage) show that Mickey and Avery met when they were both college students and found out that they had a lot in common. Avery and Mickey had shared goals of being successful in their respective chosen careers.

Avery strived to be a fashion designer with her own product line and fulfilled that goal. Mickey, who has culinary skills, had ambitions to be a successful restaurateur, but those ambitions fell by the wayside and he became lazy when it came to his career and his marriage. Avery tried to encourage him to still pursue his dreams, but Mickey interpreted this encouragement as nagging.

The couple was overjoyed by the birth of Sam, a child who was very much wanted by Avery and Mickey. The couple also weathered some tough times, such as the deaths of Mickey's parents. A breaking point in the marriage was when Mickey became verbally abusive to Avery during an argument and called her a "bitch."

These flashbacks bring some emotional resonance to a movie that is sometimes a little shallow in its presentation. Some of the supporting characters are very underdeveloped and just say their lines and then are never seen again. For example, Avery's mother Imelda Chua (played by Fe de los Reyes) comes to visit, but Imelda's scenes are so inconsequential, her scenes could've been cut from the movie, and it wouldn't have made a difference to the story. Cass has an ex-girlfriend named Helene Dubois (played by Geneva Carr) who is seen in the beginning and the end of the movie, with not much context to their relationship except that they broke up because Cass didn't want to commit to dating her exclusively.

However, other supporting characters are better-developed. Avery runs her fashion business with her best friend Lisa (played by Celia Au), a bachelorette who talks openly about her sex life. Au has terrific comedic timing, and her performance is one of the movie's highlights. Kreider also does well in his role as Mickey's best friend Cass. Basco and Concepcion do good jobs in showing nuances in their performances as Mickey (who isn't always as goofy as he appears to be) and Avery (who isn't always as serious as she appears to be), who are navigating their lives after their divorce.

The movie falters when it has some scenes that look like they came from a 1990s sitcom. For example, there's a scene where Mickey chastises a teenager he knows named Dennis (played by Imani Hanson) because Dennis is selling candy outside of Mickey's coffee shop. Mickey has asked Dennis before to stop loitering in front of the shop. Mickey says to Dennis in a good-natured tone: "You better check yourself before you wreck yourself, Kris Kross." That's a line what might have worked in 1992, when hip-hop duo Kris Kross was a big deal, but this movie is supposed to take place in the 2020s.

"Asian Persuasion" gets the job done fairly well, in terms of what people can expect for a low-budget romantic comedy with this concept. There are some delightful references to Filipino culture and Asian American identities, as well as candid talk about interracial relationships, such as Cass' admitted preference for dating white women. The movie avoids being too saccharine sweet by having some raunchy jokes. Ultimately, "Asian Persuasion" is mostly light-hearted entertainment that is the cinematic equivalent of comfort food for people inclined to like romantic comedies about finding and keeping true love.

"Asian Persuasion"

Directed by Jhett Tolentino

Culture Representation: Taking place in New York City, the comedy film "Asian Persuasion features a predominantly Asian group of people (with some white people and African Americans) representing the working-class and middle-class.

Culture Clash: A divorced father schemes to find a new husband for his ex-wife so he doesn't have to pay her any more alimony.

Culture Audience: "Asian Persuasion" will appeal primarily to people who are fans of the movie's headliners and old-fashioned but likable romantic comedies.

Scatena & Rosner Films released "Asian Persuasion" in select U. S. cinemas on March 21, 2025. The movie will be released on digital and VOD on May 27, 2025.

Asian Persuasion' at times feels dated with its dialogue, but still allows the audience to enjoy a popcorn rom-com.

'Asian Persuasion' has a lot of potential but doesn't fully live up to it. Directed by Grammy and Tony Award-winner Jhett Tolentino, and starring Dante Basco-yes, Rufio from *Hook*-and KC Concepcion, the film is packed with talent. With a budget of around $2 million, it's a truly independent film, and for what it had to work with, it does some impressive things, particularly in its efforts to showcase a wide cultural representation. The film boasts characters and influences from 21 Central and East Asian countries, including China, Japan, India, Vietnam, South Korea, and many others. That's a pretty significant accomplishment, and it adds an extra layer of depth to the film's story.

However, while the intention to blend romance, humor, and drama is clear, the execution leaves a bit to be desired. The plot feels somewhat convoluted and outdated, with moments of forced humor and dialogue that could have used more refinement. The premise itself-about a lovable underachiever scheming to avoid paying alimony to his fashion-executive ex-wife-has a lot of potential, but the way the story unfolds sometimes feels a bit too predictable or contrived. The pacing also slows down at times, making it hard to stay fully invested.

What really keeps 'Asian Persuasion' from completely missing the mark, though, is the performances. Basco brings his signature charm and comedic timing, delivering some genuinely funny moments, while Concepcion adds warmth to her role. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and they really do their best to bring depth to their characters, elevating the film in ways that the script sometimes doesn't. Their performances are a big part of why the movie remains watchable and enjoyable, even if the rest of the film doesn't quite hit all the right notes.

Another highlight of the film is the cultural exploration. The film does a great job at bringing in various Asian cultures, traditions, and perspectives into the narrative allowing it to be organic instead of being the primary focal point.

'Asian Persuasion'open in Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Toronto, Honolulu, and Washington D. C. on March 21, 2025, followed by a VOD, digital releasee on May 27, 2025.

Asian Persuasion is a romantic comedy about a recently divorced couple, where the ex-husband sets up his ex-wife to remarry, in an attempt to get out from under an onerous alimony decree.

Will husband's zany plan to love-coach the new man dating his ex-wife work? Or will the exes get back together? How does Kevin Kreider (the hottie from Bling Empire in his scripted acting debut) figure into all of this?

I won't reveal any spoilers here, but I can confirm this is a rom com through and through. There are multiple characters falling in and out of love - and even Prince Charming (actor Paolo Montalban from the Cinderella reboot has a supporting role).

That said, the real love story is with food, NY and childhood dreams. There are delicious shots of ube pancakes sprinkled throughout the film. There are also close-ups of street signs indicating Filipino parts of Queens, NY, as well as other NYC landmarks such as the Museum of the Moving Image or Chinese Tuxedo. Finally, both lead characters are creatives (ex-husband is a chef, ex-wife is a fashion designer), and their childhood aspirations figure prominently in why they fell in and out of love.

Asian Persuasion is a fun, multi-layered film with a tight ensemble cast.

Highlights true New York lifestyle and empowering for women- Cyranoesque in parts while uplifting in the same breath. Develops a fresh approach towards navigating divorce with many comedic moments. Uniquely canvasses the city experience incorporating some very special foodie spots. No spoilers but not your typical romcom. Well casted and made me laugh out loud more than once. Lighthearted yet dissecting on an emotional topic. The bond between male and female friendship is well established via some interesting selection of supportive situations. Most romcoms have a typical plot - not the case here. Looking forward to more from Jhett and Mike.

Set in New York in today's genre acted out by SUPERBLY talented artists and directed by the PHENOMENAL JHETT TOLENTINO. What an outstanding creation, a work of art, a breath of fresh air actually, not like most melodramatic Filipino films. I laughed and cried at the same time and giggled too. Most of the content of the movie was very relatable especially living in New York.

It also did not linger on a specific topic. It just flowed seamlessly from one scene to another. Just brilliant.

I pray it will be shown in more theaters next year. I'll definitely watch it again. Watch it when it airs near you.

Mickey delos Santos (Dante Bascon) owned a small nondescript Filipino coffee shop in Queens, although his long-time dream had been to own his own Michelin-star Filipino restaurant. He is currently in the process of divorcing his fashion designer wife Avery (KC Concepcion), so their 10-year old daughter Sam (Scarlett Sher) had to shuttle between the two of them on specified days in a week.

One night, Mickey brainstormed with his bartender best friend Caspian (Kevin Kreider) about how he can avoid the alimony payments. So in a haze of alcohol and weed, he registered Avery on an online dating app so she can meet a good man whom she can re-marry. When they saw Avery matched up with Wall Street finance guy named Lee (Paolo Montalban), Mickey thought this was the right guy for her.

The main screwball comedy story this film about arranging for an ex-wife to have a new husband had could honestly have been conceptualized to accommodate any nationality. But since the filmmakers were both Filipino-American (director Jhett Tolentino and writer Mike Ang), of course, there will be a lot of uniquely Filipino pop references and melodrama here and there, so Filipino viewers will definitely appreciate this more.

KC Concepcion was positively radiant and likable as Avery. With her classy ensembles and winsome smile, Tolentino made her look so perfectly in contrast with the drab, homely Mickey. Even if they did have a short segment about how the two of them met, the contrast between their looks and personality was so stark, you'd wonder how they got to be married in the first place, and how he could let her go so carelessly.

The first time I saw Dante Basco in action, it was in his 2021 film entitled "The Fabulous Filipino Brothers." He does not have his brothers to support him now, but he did well to hold the fort in the lead role, even if Mickey kept making the worst decisions. Everybody remembers Paolo Montalban as the Prince of Brandy's "Cinderella" (1997). His Lee was a man who easily lost his nerve around women, so he needed to be coached real-time, so cartoonishly unrealistic.

Child actress Scarlett Sher was such a delightful presence as little Sam. She connected very well with Basco and Concepcion even if there did not seem to be any Filipino blood in her. Korean-American actor Kevin Kreider had a very charismatic screen presence, it was too bad he wasn't on that much by the third act. It was fun to see Fe delos Reyes as Avery's mom, as were the cameos by Rex Navarrette, Maya Encila and Tony Labrusca.

Asian Persuasion is the story about exe's Mickey (Basco) and Avery (Concepcion), who are co-parenting their daughter Sam (Sher).

Between his coffee shop, alimony, child support and his rent being months behind, Mickey finds himself in a pickle.

One drunk and stoned evening, Mickey creates a dating profile for his ex-wife. That's when him and his best friend come up with the scheme to help Avery find love again and get married, quickly, so that he no longer has to pay alimony.

After Mickey finds the perfect person to set up with Avery, he acts as if he's Cyrano de Bergerac and tells Avery's new love interest, Lee (Montalban) every little thing to say and do to win Avery over. His plan works too well, leaving Mickey to re-examine the life he had with his wife.

Will Mickey's plan work? Will he be able to marry Avery off to Lee quickly to save on alimony payments, or will something happen along the way to derail his devious plan? To find out, go see Asian Persuasion. Look for it at a theater new you.

There is a lot of Filipino aspects to this film, which I found very interesting. I honestly don't know anything about the culture or cuisine from the Philippines. It was interesting to get a glimpse into their culture as both Mickey and Avery are Filipino. In fact, Mickey's coffee shop is creatively named Da Fili Beans (get it... ha ha).

This film doesn't give you "blockbuster, big budget vibes," but that is okay. Sometimes there are little gems that fly under the radar that don't cost an "arm and a leg" that are just as good, if not better, than some major motion pictures. This film might not win an Oscar, but it's sure to win over a lot of people's hearts as the characters and their stories are very relatable. Some people might have even found themselves in similar situations.

All of the characters are very likeable and relatable. They come across as "real people," if that makes sense. I especially liked the characters of Mickey and Avery. I even really enjoyed their daughter Sam. I was rooting for them from the beginning, in hopes they could one day find a way to get back together, or at least make peace with their situation. I also liked the character of Lee. He is such a sweet man and I really wanted him to find happiness too. I guess you can say I found myself invested in the characters and wanting to see them all have a happy ending.

The story was interesting and it caught my attention from the opening scene until the end credits rolled.

The film was shot around New York City, which I also appreciated. I have only returned to New York City (even though I live about 30+ minutes NW of the city) once since COVID. We keep talking about going back down in the near future. I miss walking around New York City. There is so much hustle and bustle and a lot to see, no matter what neighborhood you visit (this is coming from a "country bumpkin" too).

If you are looking for a little gem to watch this weekend, go check out the romantic comedy (with a touch of drama), Asian Persuasion. Look for it at a theater near you.

My boyfriend and I enjoyed this fun and creative movie directed by Jhett Torentino. The actors and venues for the scenes were carefully selected and captivated the audience every minute of the film. It is no surprise that his talented creative production won him the prestigious awards that he received for this film. The plot was easy to follow and yet you were still pleasantly surprised with the cleverness and profound meanings behind the storyline. The soundtrack was carefully selected and each song had harmony with its corresponding scene. A fantastic film to go see! We look forward to his future projects.

We had an amazing time watching Asian Persuasion! Kevin Kreider, Dante Basco, and KC Concepcion absolutely killed it, and the rest of the cast brought great chemistry that made every scene feel natural. There were plenty of fun comedic moments, but beyond that, the film had heart. It really captured the feeling of life in New York-where love can be unpredictable, messy, and full of surprises. The story kept me engaged, and I left feeling good.

I highly recommend checking it out for the laughs, the romance, and the immaculate the NYC vibes. Can't wait to watch it again when it drops in late May!

This Filipino-American film sets the bar high for Filipino films from the Philippines.

This is what a rom-com should be - not animated, cultural mockery, overacted or lingering nonsensical scenes that give away the predictable endings. I can only dream of the Philippine cinema that can do that consistently.

Moving forward, it is but proper to celebrate the Filipino-Americans who are contributing in the elevation of the Philippine cinema and its industry as a whole. I can imagine it's no easy feat to keep pushing for Filipino representation in Hollywood. At least, we are catching up with our ASEAN neighbors with a film like Asian Persuasion, one a time.

More of this please!

I had the privilege to hear the filmmakers after a screening in Las Vegas. I can't believe the preparations, efforts, planning, execution and marketing that is involved in making a film. I was really impressed by the director who, from the looks of it, made most of the contributing factor is making this extraordinary independent film. It's a shame that not too many people were aware of its national theatrical run. It's totally different from watching at home. I wish more independent films like this get to be produced. I'm so sick of the studio films. Enough already! Give the independent voices more chances to prove their worth!

Unconventional and thought-provoking. Very unlikely for this genre. I found myself smiling, chuckling, giggling and laughing along with other people in the audience in the theater. Even self-reflection! It's very rare for any film to make me feel that way. And some.

It's an overall great film but the soundtrack for me is the lagniappe. I hope the production will come up with it pretty soon! I tried to look them up but I ended up with no result. Please produce the official soundtrack in whatever form - disc, vinyl or online. I'll buy it for sure!

This is the kind of rom-com that I'm looking for. I can watch this film over and over and over again. Perfection!

I remember first seeing Dante Basco as Rufio, leader of The Lost Boys, in Steven Spielberg's "Hook" in 1991! He gave such a strong, commanding performance that left an impression on me. So cool to see him again here in this comedic and touching role more than 30 years later. Many talented actors in this cast. Geneva Carr is hilarious as a French vixen (no spoilers!). The family aspect grounded in Filipino culture with a tour de force performance by Scarlett Sher as Basco's daughter captures the heart. This was such a pleasure to watch! And not for nothing, seeing Basco's chef skills made me crave some Filipino cuisine!

In the comedy "Asian Persuasion," directed by Grammy/Tony Award winner and filmmaker Jhett Tolentino, Dante Basco stars as Mickey de los Santos, a well-meaning but financially struggling Filipino coffee shop owner in Queens.

With rent on his shop overdue, Mickey is working overtime to keep up with alimony payments to his successful fashion executive ex-wife, Avery Chua (KC Concepcion). On top of that, he's juggling the responsibilities of caring for his young daughter, Sam (a funny Scarlett Sherr), leaving Mickey stretched thin and at his wit's end.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. When Mickey's best friend, Caspian Jang (Kevin Kreider) stops by to hang out, they brainstorm ways to get back on solid financial ground. After some wild ideas, they settle on a plan: create a dating app for Avery. Caspian points out that if she remarries, Mickey will be free from alimony payments and finally be able to breathe easier. Though the idea seems far-fetched, they give it a shot and actually create a professional dating profile for Avery. To their surprise, it quickly attracts a flood of potential matches.

The catch, of course, is that Caspian and Mickey must carefully curate their matchmaking efforts to ensure Avery meets the right match--someone who is truly on her level. No scrubs.

Navigating this delicate charade becomes the real challenge, and it's where much of the film's humor arises.

Lee Kwan Prince (Paolo Montalban) might just be their saving grace. A somewhat shy financial guru, Lee becomes entangled in Mickey and Caspian's matchmaking scheme but unexpectedly falls for Avery, who finds herself drawn to him as well.

This sparks tension and jealousy in Mickey, who suddenly realizes how much he misses his relationship with Avery and wants her back. But is it too late? Even Caspian is taken aback as all of his hard work to create this connection now risks being derailed.

"Asian Persuasion" shines with its vibrant characters and a mix of heartwarming and outrageously comedic moments, one of which even involves a prosthetic leg. But the film, written by Mike Ang, also delves into deeper emotional themes of relationships. The chemistry between Mickey, Caspian, and Avery is filled with humor, yet it also captures the subtle complexities of human connections and the challenges of moving forward after life's setbacks.

Perhaps most impressive is how the film portrays Asian culture authentically, without resorting to pandering or exaggerated stereotypes.

Casting is key, and "Asian Persuasion" nails it with a stellar ensemble that is naturally funny and effortlessly charming, so much so that it won't take much persuasion to win you over.

With a combination of comedy, feel-good moments, and likable characters (even if they don't always do the right thing :)), Asian Persuasion put a smile on my face. It's an enjoyable experience for people of all kinds, Asian or not, but Asian Americans, in particular, feel seen and heard. Jhett Tolentino's directorial debut is successful in visual story telling and Mike Ang's personal, yet exaggerated and lighthearted writing brings his personal experience to life in a digestible and satisfying way. It's extremely hard not to root for the main cast even in their morally gray endeavors which is a testament to the charisma that comes through the screen. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.

Jhett Tolentino is a Filipino theater producer. He's the second Filipino to win the Tony Award. He won for Best Play, Best Revival of a Play and Best Musical. The latter two he won on the same night at the 68th Tony Awards in 2014. He won Best Musical Theater Album at the 59th Grammy Awards for producing the album for The Color Purple (2015). He produced an independent film called Lingua Franca (2020), which was about a Philippine-American, trans woman. However, this film is Tolentino's feature directorial debut. It's a sweet and unassuming, romantic comedy.

Ever since the success of Crazy Rich Asians (2018), it seemed as if Hollywood might open the door to more romantic comedies and more films that featured Asian or Asian American leads in the theatrical space. Streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video picked up the slack, such as with Always Be My Maybe (2019) and The Half of It (2020). The Lifetime Channel produced its first Asian American romantic comedy called A Sugar & Spice Holiday (2020) and so did Hallmark Channel with Christmas at the Golden Dragon (2020). However, another Asian American romantic comedy to hit theaters hasn't really happened. As Sean Baker, the director of the Oscar-winning Anora (2024), said, the theatrical release is very important and should be encouraged.

Dante Basco (But I'm a Cheerleader and Hook) stars as Mickey de los Santos, a Filipino-American who lives in New York City. He's the owner of a coffee shop called "Da Fili Beans." He's recently divorced and he's sharing custody with his ex-wife. His business is struggling financially and he now has alimony payments, which he feels he can't afford. Through flashbacks, we learn how Mickey met his ex-wife, how they fell in love and ultimately how they broke up. Yet, it's clear that he didn't want to break up, even though it was arguably his fault. It becomes clear that he still loves her. He becomes swamped with his debts, including child support and rent, and that becomes his motivation for the immediate future.

KC Concepcion (Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill and Forever and a Day) co-stars as Avery Chua, the ex-wife in question. She's a very successful woman, perhaps not too successful, if she's supposed to be getting alimony from Mickey. Yet, during the divorce meeting, she doesn't seem to be too demanding. It's almost as if she doesn't want to divorce either. Later, we see her living in what looks like a fancy or upscale apartment. We see her dressed in designer clothes. She seems to work in the fashion industry and even has an assistant. She has very trendy and stylish friends who take her shopping in what looks like a luxury boutique. From what it appears, Avery should be paying Mickey alimony and not the other way round.

What screenwriter, Mike Ang, in his feature debut, crafts is not really too much concerned with the set up. That set up seems instead to be just an excuse to get us into another modern-day adaptation of the classic Cyrano de Bergerac (1897) story. Most adaptations of the Edmond Rostand work will typically have some spin on the basic concept. Alice Wu's The Half of It was also an adaptation of Rostand's play, which was about a loving but self-doubting man who communicates to the woman that he loves through a more handsome suitor who also is interested in that same woman. Rostand had basically concocted an early form of what's now known as catfishing. Wu's spin on that concept was making Cyrano not be a loving but self-doubting man but instead a teenage, Asian American girl who was essentially a lesbian. Ang's spin is that Mikey who is this film's Cyrano is instead the ex-husband of the woman being pursued.

Paolo Montalban (Descendants: The Rise of Red and Cinderella) plays Lee Kwan Prince, the more handsome suitor who is endemic to Rostand's love triangle. He's the puppet in this equation, an awkward, financial analyst who works on Wall Street. He's better at talking about numbers and the Dow Jones than he is talking to women. Montalban is probably best known for playing a Prince Charming type. It's not clear if the filmmakers had Montalban in mind for this character, but having him play a character with the surname of "Prince" and play against that type is somewhat clever.

Lee wants to use Mickey who is Avery's ex-husband to romance Avery. Mickey isn't exactly Will Smith in Hitch (2005) where he's coaching Lee. Mickey instead goes with Lee on dates with Avery and feeds lines to Lee through a wireless earpiece. Avery doesn't realize that Lee is a literal puppet through which Mickey communicates. There's a lot of complications and a lot of humor that could've been mined from this premise. The only thing we get is Mickey dressing up in disguise during one of Lee's dinner dates with Avery. To the screenplay's credit, it doesn't drag out the premise, but, at the same time, it doesn't elicit or wring much comedy out of the premise either. The story goes quickly in and out.

Kevin Kreider rounds out the cast as Caspian Jang, the Korean-American best friend to Mickey. He's probably in his late 30's, early 40's, yet he acts like an older brother and sometimes like a frat boy. He works as a bartender and seems only concerned with hooking up with beautiful women. Yet, he only dates White women specifically. The film doesn't really have an interest in delving into that aspect of Caspian. If one wants an exploration of that idea of Asian men dating White women, you can check out Randall Park's Shortcomings (2023). Kreider is best known for the reality show Bling Empire (2021), but he's mainly the comic relief here, a bit of a himbo.

Despite being a himbo, we don't get much sexuality in this film. The most is a scene where Kreider is shirtless, and another where Concepcion shows some cleavage, but we don't see any characters kiss at any point. The film is very chaste. In that regard, Basco and Concepcion only get one scene or sequence where the two get a chance to show any chemistry between each other. For anyone who was a child of the 90's, you most likely remember Spielberg's Hook and how dynamic Basco was, even as a teenager. Here, he's more a muted, girl dad. It's a different and more subtle performance that Asian American men rarely get.

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 combines humor, drama, and romance. Rom-com fans will certainly enjoy this story and has good humor that is not slapstick, but it does offer good scenes of how the scheme has some positive points and how it was not the best idea. A little too late, Mickey sees the effect this has on others, especially Avery. Too little, too late, Mickey realizes just what he lost in his relationship with Avery. Sometimes it takes some growth and major changes if there is to be a second chance with the one you love. Although the script has a familiar theme, the large cast give enjoyable performances for each of the characters who have a role in this couple's relationship.

For sheer sweetness, inconsequentiality, and just reassuringly feel good vibes, Asian Persuasion, the feature directorial debut of Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino hits the spot. Not surprisingly, this crowd pleaser won the Audience Choice Award at the Soho International Film Fest last September. With everything going on in the world, we could all use some easy chuckles and implausibly happy endings.

This is the kind of movie one goes to in order to be entertained. And there are times that what we do need is just entertainment--very corny but totally cool--hence mais con hielo (sweet corn kernels with ice). It's not ampalaya (bitter melon), no matter how good that may be for your health. It's not heavy in your gut nor does it stick to your ribs. It probably doesn't give you any of your RDA of nutrients and such. What does it matter? Just chill.

You see it right from the start. The romantic hero, the underachieving chef Mickey de Los Santos' (Dante Basco) coffee shop is called "Da FiliBeans," a business name so groaningly punny, and yet, oh so quintessentially Pinoy. The scriptwriter, Mike Ang, even has one of the coffee shop patrons suggest adding Vienna sausage as a taste enhancer to just about everything, including chicken adobo. He must not have tasted the walnut and ube pancakes Mickey whips up for breakfast, which are the kind of Asian fusion dish that sells like, you guessed it, hotcakes.

It is so fitting that Asian Persuasion was shot in the centuries-old racial and cultural melting pot that is New York City. Twenty-one Asian countries were represented in this production: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam, and even Israel-a human resources halo halo if there ever was one.

The plot revolves around the feckless Mickey's belated realization that he has f---ed himself up yet again, as the opening scene reveals, when he recklessly signs a divorce agreement with his wife, Miss Avery Chua (KC Concepcion), without having his own lawyer present to advise him, and without even first studying or even reading, the legal document that he is signing. Bahala na si Batman-a very Pinoy attitude. Although the divorce is amicable enough, as far as the shared custody of their precious daughter, Sam (Scarlett Sher) goes, the savvy entrepreneur Miss Avery is not about to let her far less successful ex get off so easily. It might have been her way of trying to motivate him, to challenge him to measure up. KC Concepcion manages to come off as a warm, truly decent, and sympathetic human being who's at the end of her rope, and not as a ball-crushing b---h, just out to bleed Mickey for everything he's got when, she already has so much more herself. The movie's tagline after all is, "Every great marriage could use a good divorce."

This Fil-Am romcom, it is actually an homage to Ratatouille, and every bit as fantastic, in its own good-natured way. Proving that in this instance, two heads are not better than one, Mickey and his best buddy, Cas (Kevin Kreider), decide that the only way for him to get out of having to pay Miss Avery alimony, which is way beyond his means, is to get her married off to some other schmuck ASAP. Enter the very successful Lee (Paolo Montalban), a Wall Street type who's at the top of his game but incredibly still not spoken for and very much looking for love without seeming like an incel (involuntary celibate) at all. Not to worry. This movie doesn't seem to have any creepiness or dark sides to it.

Against all odds, with Mickey and Cas playing God behind the scenes, and thanks to the technological marvel and ubiquity of ear buds, Lee and Avery meet cute and obligingly fall in like, at least. Love and marriage should be next on the menu. Part of the running Ratatouille joke is that an obscure coffee shop proprietor and a ripped bartender are able to bend the wills of a top financial head honcho and a successful woman creative who runs her own independent business to do their messy bidding. No one gets sued, or has on-camera sex for that matter. This is after all, a fantasy.

Don't expect political correctness that eschews cultural misappropriation either. One of the sight gags which garnered the most laughs with the Filipino premiere audience has Mickey and Cas disguised as cartoon Mexicans from a Trumpian dreamscape, while they spy on Miss Avery and Lee. What a sight they are to behold, decked out in serapes and brandishing moustaches as thick as blackboard erasers. Who might be offended at such outlandishness that would be more appropriate in some crazed cosplay? No Filipinos apparently, and probably not many other Asians either.

Watching Asian Persuasion is also a fun opportunity to play spot that celebrity, with cameos by Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de. Ap, Yam Concepcion, Tony Labrusca, Rachel Alejandro, Fe de los Reyes, Rex Navarrete, Janice Sonia Lee, Devin Ilaw, Ami Sheth, Joyce Keokham, Imani Hanson, and Renee Rogoff. Sometimes, moviegoers just want to have fun. We deserve it too.