One of the joys of being a film journalist who focuses on the world of indie cinema is that I get my share of opportunities to review films from around the world. Sanjeev Nair's 23-minute dramatic short Almost Always is a Malaysian short centered around two lifelong best friends, Andrew (Aidan Hakim) and Mia (Genevieve Ooi), who are spending their final weeks together before Andrew heads off for university abroad. 

Andrew, however, is holding a secret. As Mia begins falling for someone else, Andrew continues to support her while fearing that to reveal his secret would change how she sees him.

Written and directed by Sanjeev Nair, Almost Always is a quiet, honest, and meaningful film that benefits from strong performances from its co-leads. It's a film that feels both intimate and universal, its relatable themes helping to connect us early on to the characters involved. 

Lensing by Raja Nazeef Syahmi is effective throughout, both atmospheric and mood-setting. The original score by Chloe Bennett is also of tremendous benefit to the film's overall tone. 

While the subjects here aren't necessarily new, especially for American movie audiences, this coming-of-age drama is powerful in its presentation and a strong reminder that for many of us coming-of-age is has many similar themes whether we're in Malaysia, the U.S., or any number of other countries. 

If you get a chance, Almost Always is a short film to check out. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic