Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians

Starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina

Directed by Jon M. Chu

The Story:
Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is a successful economics professor at New York University, and dating the dashing Nick Young (Henry Golding), and is totally unsuspecting of his upbringing until he invites her to his home country of Singapore for his best friend's wedding.  Rachel learns that Nick's family is the most wealthy real estate companies in Singapore, and his family is basically royalty.

When Rachel meets Nick's overbearing mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), she's quick to show her dissatisfaction for Rachel, making her feel like a commoner in the presence of royalty.  For Eleanor, no one is good enough for Nick, and she harbors deep resentment for Nick not coming home earlier.  With the help of her friend Goh Peik Lin (Awkwafina), Rachel holds to her convictions and believes firmly that love can conquer all - even an overbearing mother.

The Synopsis:
In 1993, "The Joy Luck Club" hit theaters, and it was something American audiences hadn't really seen before - a film almost entirely consisting of Asian actors.  While other films after this featured some Asian actors, it wasn't until "Crazy Rich Asians" did we once again get to see a film starring almost entirely Asian actors, and the result was nothing short of magical, and profitable (the film has grossed so much it's already the highest grossing romantic comedy in the last decade).  In a time where diversity is praised and appreciated, "Crazy Rich Asians" showed the Asian community in a way that separates itself from its Western stereotypes, and provides great acting with a deeply rooted story about love, family, and history.

Constance Wu plays Rachel, a college professor who was raised by her mother on a meager budget, never really achieving financial success - but it's not something she's really been looking for.  So when she starts dating Nick, she doesn't really ask what his family does, and when she learns that he's part of the richest families in Singapore, it doesn't really change her view about him, but rather you see a woman so deeply in love that it doesn't matter if Nick was a prince or a pauper, and basically Wu plays the character in a way that makes her so endearing that any future mother-in-law would be lucky enough to have her in her family.

Yet that's not what Nick's mother Eleanor feels, and instead Rachel is met with resentment, ridicule, and constant taunting by not just her, but her rich friends and family.  You'd think this is a typical rich vs. poor movie, but it goes so much deeper than that.  Yes, Rachel is mocked for being poor, but it's not the fact that she's poor that turns Eleanor off (although it is a bit of a factor), but instead it's due to the strong familial ties that bind the family together, something that's specific and unique among the true Asian community.

While Nick ran off to America, Eleanor hated the fact that her son seemingly abandoned her and his family, and learning that he's dating an American Asian is something that truly doesn't sit right with her - even though Rachel is by all intents and purposes the poster child for the best daughter-in-law, all Eleanor sees is an Asian that's been diluted by the American ideal, and fears that she will corrupt Nick's mind.

"Crazy Rich Asians" works on every level, and leaves you with a smile on your face for having enjoyed such a rich, romantic, and even humorous ride.  The film's cinematography is top-notch, fully utilizing the beautiful landscapes and building designs of Singapore to serve as the most illustrious backdrop ever.  The costume designs are absolutely superb, giving us commoners just a taste of what it must be like to be crazy stupid rich, and yet also showing that, even though they can wear the most beautiful dresses, they can still be incredibly ugly on the inside.

The actors all give commanding performances, and for some that's quite a stretch.  Constance Wu shines as Rachel, a girl who never wanted more than the love of Nick, who doesn't really change despite learning of his wealth.  She doesn't want to become a rich snob like the other girls around her, and maintains a sense of innocence and inner beauty that shines through.

For Henry Golding, this is his first performance ever in a major motion picture, and it's surprising considering how well he played Nick as a rich boy with a heart of gold, who loves Rachel with everything in him, yet also torn due to the strict traditions of his family.

Michelle Yeoh is a seasoned pro, and she unleashes all her acting fury here as the steely, unemotional, judgmental Eleanor.  Her scenes with Constance Wu are way too few, as each moment these two titans go against each other, it's absolute cinematic gold.  Yeoh has a quiet grace about her, but also a fierceness that comes through with just a simple glance or body gesture that lets you know what the character is really thinking without uttering a word.

Yet the real scene stealer comes with comedienne Awkwafina, who plays Rachel's friend Goh Peik Lin.  Her wit and humor is infectious, and she absolutely commands the screen every time she appears, which is all too short.  She is able to offer sage advice, yet also providing some of the best one-liners and humorous moments the movie has to offer.  Hopefully she plays a bigger role in the sequel, as I couldn't get enough of her performance.

While the story is one that's been used repeatedly in cinema, what sets "Crazy Rich Asians" apart is the aspect of family and history that underlies everything that goes on.  Eleanor is tough on Nick, just as Eleanor's mother is strict with her.  We see this importance of family in many scenes, but most striking is when the family gets together to make dumplings, a strong tradition in Singapore.  The scene is powerful and memorable, and sets the tone for the rest of the film, leading up to its somewhat stereotypical ending, but done so in a way that it doesn't feel slighted.

The Summary:
With a strong cast and solid script, "Crazy Rich Asians" manages to show the world a different point of view, a family dynamic that's not really understood in most parts of the country, but hold a strong bond for the characters in the movie.

The Score: A+