The documentary Kelly Loves Tony explores the lives of a young Mien couple who are navigating their roles as second generation youth and new parents to a newborn baby. Specifically, the film follows Kelly and Tony's attempts at negotiating how to navigate successfully in their communities. For Kelly, being a young mother isn't a hindrance to her dreams of graduating from college. This illustrates her resistance to being confined and boxed as just a wife and mother (especially after an engagement she was not made aware of), wanting a better future for her family and a sense of personal accomplishment. Tony, on the other hand, is focused solely on his role as a father and husband, anxious about the impending possibility of his deportation due to his past criminal record. Both show incredible devotion to making their family remain intact, actively supporting each other (Kelly attending Tony's hearings and Tony taking Kelly to school) despite their different beliefs. This shows their willingness to work together despite their opposing personal desires.
Later in the documentary, it becomes clear that the expectations of balancing her roles as a student, mother, and daughter-in-law have taken a toll on Kelly. Tony and her begin to argue more frequently, spurring a divide between them. Kelly desires to leave Tony's family's home and marry Tony. Tony doesn't see the necessity to marry Kelly as soon as possible. Soon, Kelly falls pregnant with a second child, and Tony doesn't see why this could upset Kelly. He views her role as his children's mother her utmost priority.
Interestingly, this documentary wasn't filmed through the lens of a third person/outsider, but them themselves. They have control of what the audience can see and sometimes quite literally show their lives from their eyes and direct perspective, indicating their agency in how their story is told.
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