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KC Concepcion captivates in Asian Persuasion

There’s a shortage of clever quips in Mike Ang’s script, but the actors make each situation look authentic

Asian Persuasion
Asian Persuasion official photo

‘Asian Persuasion’ is running in cinemas at SM Malls and Ayala Malls.

In the romcom Asian Persuasion, KC Concepcion plays Avery, a Fil-American fashion designer based in New York.  Divorced from her Fil-American husband Kevin (Dante Basco), they share custody of their pretty little daughter (engagingly played by the scene-stealing Scarlett Sherr). The estranged couple’s relationship appears to be amicable though alimony and child support payments have put Kevin in a precarious financial situation. His dream of opening a Filipino restaurant is thus put on hold.

Kevin’s hunky best pal Caspian (Kevin Kreider) hits upon the idea of having Avery remarry. This would free Kevin from financial obligations. He thus creates a fake account for Avery in a dating site. Not long after, Mr. Perfect (Paolo Montalban), comes along.  Kevin pushes him to woo Avery in the hope of them tying the knot eventually.

There’s no need to go further into the plot because we all know where this is leading to. It’s been done 30 years ago by Hollywood. The movie was Anthony Minghella’s Mr. Wonderful starring Matt Dillon and Annabelle Sciorra as the divorced couple. The plot was preposterous even back then. It was further bogged down by Dillon’s charmless presence. He just wasn’t born to play a romantic lead. The only thing going for it was a musical number. Believe it or not, I Say a Little Prayer was the song performed. It was similar to how My Best Friend’s Wedding presented the same song. Mr. Wonderful does predate My Best Friend’s Wedding by three years.  Yet no one remembers it because it’s not a wonderful movie.

 What Asian Persuasion has going for it is the talented cast. There’s a shortage of clever quips in Mike Ang’s script but the actors make each situation look fresh and authentic. It’s perhaps because they’re not superstars and they have no image to protect. They can afford to be genuine.

Asian Persuasion

The filmmakers and cast of ‘Asian Persuasion’ during the film’s premiere at SM Megamall: from left, director Jhett Tolentino, screenwriter Mike Ang, executive producer Jona Jane Tajonera, actors Dante Basco, KC Concepcion, Paolo Montalban, Kevin Kreider, Fe delos Reyes, and Geneva Carr.

Many Filipino stars bask in the glorious image and ostentatious star titles bestowed upon them by their publicists.  To stay on the pedestal, they stick to a formula, and thus their acting becomes predictable. Even the movies they choose to make tend to be derivative tailor-made star vehicles—only with different clothes sponsors.

Happily, actors like Paolo Montalban are free from having to live up to a particular image. He was Cinderella’s Prince Charming, and also Lea Michele’s Prince Charming in the recent Broadway revival of Funny Girl. But in Asian Persuasion, he plays what he describes as “a boring guy,” a pushover who doesn’t win over the girl.

Leading lady KC Concepcion has so much charisma she dominates the film. She’s a  true and beautiful chip off her father’s block and like Montalban, she isn’t hindered by any star image. She has a fuller figure now which is  preferable to today’s  anorexic-looking stars . This makes her even more believable and relatable in every scene she’s in.  Concepcion makes the film worth watching.

Dante Basco is the go-to actor whenever a film about Fil-Americans is being produced. He looks every inch a Filipino, and  he can deliver  the lines effortlessly. He never looks like he’s acting. What he lacks is romantic chemistry with KC Concepcion. This can be partially blamed on the script. The connection between  Avery and Mickey is underdeveloped.

Likewise, there’s not enough of Philippine culture to make Asian Persuasion feel more like a Fil-American movie. It so happens that the protagonists have been fully assimilated in the American way of life.  They could have featured at least one major character who still spoke Tagalog, if only to enhance the movie’s Filipino vibe. Ironically, the miniseries about the assassination of Gianni Versace did a better job at showcasing Fil-Americans.

First-time movie director Jhett Tolentino includes several breathtaking shots of New York, which gives the movie a cinematic edge over the highly acclaimed Korean film Past Lives, also shot in the Big Apple. Yet his finished film feels like a rough cut. He did direct his actors very well.  The cast truly shines in a climactic scene in a restaurant near the end. It’s the movie’s funniest moment.

Asian Persuasion is also Tolentino’s first attempt at pushing for Filipino representation in Hollywood. Admirably, in his cast and crew, almost every Asian country is represented. He noted that Crazy Rich Asians has placed Asian filmmakers and actors on the Hollywood map.  He said it’s time we Filipinos got our turn. It won’t happen with Asian Persuasion, but it’s a start.

Read more:

Why ‘Past Lives’ is the perfect antidote to the ‘Barbie’ pandemic

About author

Articles

He is a freelance writer of lifestyle and entertainment, after having worked in Philippine broadsheets and magazines.

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