Movie Review: Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
I’ve been reading about Crazy Rich Asians for a little over a year now in the pages of Entertainment Weekly magazine, so I was quite excited to see it. The movie fills the same type of cultural role that Black Panther did earlier this year-Black Panther featured a mostly African-American cast, and Crazy Rich Asians features a cast made up completely of Asians or Asian-Americans. I still find it sad that the genetic make up of a movie cast and/or crew becomes a selling point for the film-I look forward to the day, which I acknowledge may never come, when the phrase, “It’s stars only (insert type of American minority here)! Wow, that’s amazing!” no longer needs to be stated.
But I’m getting off topic, which is the film itself. This was one of the last movies I got to see using what is now a massive pain in the ass, MoviePass (RIP, even if you don’t know you’re dead yet!). However, I would have been happy to have paid full price for the film, because it was really entertaining. Lots of attractive people (hello Henry Golding, in your first, but not last, starring role) saying smart and funny things in expensive outfits in beautiful places. What’s not to like about that?
Directed by John Chu, who has brought us some scintillating classics such as Jem and the Holograms (2015), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), and Justin Bieber’s Believe and Never say Never (2013 and 2011, respectively), redeems himself with this pleasant delight. The movie centers around Rachel Wu (played by Constance Wu) and the aforementioned Henry Golding (who, thankfully, has a few shirtless scenes!) as her boyfriend, Nick Young. Nick is one of the “Crazy Rich Asians” the title is referring to…and the “Crazy Rich” part might be an understatement. The two have been together for over a year and are crazy in love. Nick has kept his past as a crazy rich person a secret from her all this time, relishing being treated as just a normal guy who loves a normal girl (who happens to be a successful college professor, so maybe not so “normal”…I think I’m done putting words in quotation marks now). Nick has to fly back to Singapore because he is the best man in his best childhood friends wedding, and he wants Rachel to go with him and meet his family.
This is where the fun starts.
Nick has to confess his identity to her when they get on the plane, mostly because instead of sitting in coach, they have a small suite and are catered to hand and foot during the flight. Champagne? Of course! Extra pillow for your bed? (Yes, a bed on a plane) Sure! Rachel is annoyed that he kept this from her, but then begins to realize she might be in over her head. When we get to Singapore, which, by the way, is so visually stunning I’m a little annoyed Hollywood hasn’t been using it as a back drop until now, we get to meet the family. Nick is a bit of a celebrity, being Singapores most eligible bachelor (see, I could have used quotations there, but I didn’t. You’re welcome) and every woman wants to land him as a husband, so they are, of course, jealous of Rachel, and immediately hate her.
So does Nick’s mother, played delightfully chilly, strong, and yet understandable, by Michelle Yeoh. Michelle brings an honesty to her character that could have very easily been an evil queen caricature, we don’t root for her, but we are allowed to understand her view point, even if, as Americans, we disagree with things like honor and familial responsibility. Rachel is no shrinking violet, however, and their interactions and verbal sparring make for a lot of fun.
I have to acknowledge that the break out star of the film is Rachel’s best friend from college who moved back to Singapore, Peik Lin Goh, played by Awkwafina. She is a bundle of energy and positively glows on the screen. She steals every scene she is in. However, I have to admit, I can’t stand her name. Her birth name is Nora Lum (hmmm…Nick and Nora…maybe an all Asian Thin Man could be in the works?), and I’m not sure why she chose the stage name Awkwafina-was Dasani taken? But, again, I’m getting off topic. She is fantastic and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
I’m not going to lie and pretend that this movie breaks new ground in the romantic comedy genre, it’s doesn’t. It’s pretty straight forward, but it’s a solid, enjoyable piece of entertainment. I do think it deserves some special award for the wedding scene. Good God. It DRIPS with money…lots and LOTS of money…this scene alone would be worth the price of admission, although I’m pretty sure there will be a TON of soon-to-be grooms out there checking their bank accounts after their fiancés see it. I can’t stand weddings, never wanna go to them, never want to have one, but this one? Okay. If that’s my wedding, let’s get me sized for a white gown RIGHT NOW!
See the movie, you’ll enjoy it. It’s smart and sweet and easy to look at. I’ll be adding it to my movie collection when it comes out on home video later this year…if only to watch the wedding again. Seriously. They flood the aisle when the bride comes in. Flood it. Yes, with water. Really cool. Really Crazy Rich.