MY VIEWING DIARY: PART SEVEN

"Always Be My Maybe" (2019)

"Always Be My Maybe" is a good, old-fashioned rom-com that is made extra special by centering on Asian-Americans and offering a soft touch of social commentary. Nahnatchka Khan, best known for her work on the television sitcom, "Fresh Off The Boat" which she created, makes her film directorial debut and stars stand-up comedian, Ali Wong (in her first leading movie role) and Randall Park (who co-stared on "Fresh") who both had a hand in writing this charming screenplay. 

Our story takes place in San Francisco with Sasha Tran (Wong) and Marcus Kim (Park) who lived next door to each other as children and become close friends. But their friendship takes a turn as teenagers one night in the backseat of Marcus' car which causes a little friction and some awkwardness. A silly fight brings a sad end to their relationship. Sixteen years later, Sasha has become a popular celebrity chef and engaged to Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim), a handsome and successful restaurateur. Marcus is still living with his widowed father and playing with the band he formed when he was a teen which has never made it out of the local dive bar. With the opening of a new restaurant, Sasha finds herself back in San Francisco and, of course, she runs in to Marcus. The couple eventually rekindle their friendship yet still struggle to discuss the deeper feelings they once shared. 

While the title is a little misleading, "Always Be My Maybe" is a witty, idyllic romp that is further enhanced by the wonderful chemistry between Wong and Park. The film may not stretch far outside of a conventional romantic-comedy but if you are a big fan of this genre, then you will find much to enjoy here. And Keanu Reeves makes a brief appearance playing an over-the-top (allegedly) version of himself which is quite hilarious.

"A Man Called Adam" (1966)

A little known and rarely seen drama, "A Man Called Adam" submerges us in to the wild swinging, smoke-filled world of the New York jazz scene in the 1960's. The talented entertainer, Sammy Davis, Jr. stars (in a rare dramatic role) as Adam Johnson, a self-destructive, alcoholic musician who is struggling with his career and personal life. 

While he has plenty of women in his life (which includes Ja'Net DuBois, later finding fame on the sitcom, "Good Times" and future Las Vegas icon, Lola Falana making her film debut), Adam falls hard for Claudia Ferguson (Cicely Tyson), a fiery, opinionated activist who is not his usual type. She has strong feelings for him as well yet cannot accept his harmful behavior. 

Leo Penn, an actor turned director making his first feature film, keeps "A Man Called Adam" moving at a lively pace with the help of captivating musical numbers and the extraordinary black & white camerawork of Jack Priestley. But some of the dramatic moments feels a bit heavy handed although the film effectively tackles racism by law enforcement in one timely scene and displays how casually integrated the jazz clubs and parties were at the time. While Penn (who was the father of musician, Michael and actors, Sean and the late Chris Penn) would never direct another movie following this promising debut, he would go on to have an extensive career directing for television. 

Davis delivers a terrific performance as a broken artist in search of a muse while Ms Tyson, as the inspiration who tries to save him, is a commanding presence managing to do so much with an underwritten role. Other highlights in this well-cast film include some fine work by Ossie Davis, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Peter Lawford, Mel Tormé (performing a great rendition of "All That Jazz") and Louis Armstrong as Willie "Sweet Daddy" Ferguson, a well-known jazz trumpeter and Claudia's grandfather.

"The Story of Adèle H. (L'Histoire d'Adèle H.)" (1975)

"The Story of Adèle H." is François Truffaut's fact-based drama of a tragic obsession involving the youngest child of the renowned 19th century French novelist, Victor Hugo. When Adèle Hugo (Isabelle Adjani) arrives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the young woman gives people various assumed names, not wanting to be identified. British troops have been stationed in this Canadian province and she has come in search of one specific officer; Lieutenant Pinson (Bruce Robinson, who would write and direct the 1987 semi-autobiographical cult classic, "Withnail and I" and be nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for "The Killing Fields"). 

After tracking him down, Adèle begs Pinson to continue with their romance. But he refuses, especially since her father would not approve of him to marry her, and has already moved on. This will not stop Adèle in her desperate quest to win back the man she's convinced that she loves. While writing her parents to tell them that Pinson wants to marry her and demanding that they give consent, Adèle starts stalking the lieutenant. She tries everything; offering to pay-off his gambling debts, threatening to ruin his military career and even hiring a prostitute for him to prove that she's willing to share his love. Yet none of this works in bringing Pinson back to her with Adèle slowly deteriorating mentally and emotionally as her beloved continues to reject her. 

This early fatal attraction tale uses Ms Hugo's personal diaries to help shape the screenplay. Truffaut has made a solid yet straightforward account but what takes this film to another level is the slow-burning performance by Ms Adjani. The actress manages to keep Adèle's manic, self-destructive behavior grounded, perfectly modulating her passionate highs and delusional lows. The then-nineteen year old Adjani would receive many acting accolades including from the National Board of Review, New York Film Critics and a Best Actress Oscar nomination.