Asian Persuasion

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.

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.

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!

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.