Asian Persuasion

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.

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.

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.

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.