Crazy Rich Asians
Traditions, culture and language may be different from two opposite poles, but the language of love remains universal

LEAD CAST:
Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh
DIRECTOR:
Jon M. Chu
SCREENWRITER:
Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim
PRODUCER:
Nina Jacobson
EDITOR:
Myron Kerstein
MUSICAL DIRECTOR:
Brian Tyler
GENRE:
Comedy
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Vanja Cernjul
DISTRIBUTOR:
Warner Bros.
LOCATION:
USA, Singapore
RUNNING TIME:
130 minutes
Technical assessment: 3.5 ★★★✬✩
Moral assessment: 3.5 ★★★✬✩
CINEMA rating: V14
MTRCB rating: PG

Chinese-American Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is a respected economics professor at NYU and her Chinese-Singaporean boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) has just asked her to come with him to Singapore, where he is to serve as best man at the wedding of his best friend, Colin (Chris Pang). Since she has never met Nick’s family before and because her best friend from college, Peik Li (Akwafina), lives there, Rachel agrees. As far as she knows, Nick is just like her — an ordinary middle-class Asian — but to her shock, she learns from Peik’s family that the Youngs are way beyond rich — their family essentially helped develop Singapore from nothing a century earlier and their business interests have made them super filthy rich with Nick as the heir apparent to everything. And when Rachel finally meets Nick’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), she feels right away that things are not going to be easy for her. It does not help as well that she is seen by many others in the family and Nick’s circle as just an ordinary gold-digger. But then Rachel is determined to prove everybody wrong and to stand up for her love. Will she be able to pull it through and keep up with the crazy rich Asians?

Crazy Rich Asians is absolutely an entertaining feature. The film has all the elements for total entertainment — a relatable storyline with variations of interesting characters, commendable casting (all Asians at that), an aspirational milieu — all done with excellent production values. Seeing a Hollywood film with an all-Asian cast is already a novelty so the film has really drawn global anticipation given the popularity of the original novel as well. Wu is a refreshing revelation along with Golding. Yeoh’s complex take on the main protagonist sealed the film’s power to engage the audience on the battle between her and Rachel. The use of the game as metaphor and the banana as symbolism are also memorable. Although the plot seems contrived bordering on unbelievable — like how can someone be clueless if she gets to be with a very rich and famous person? — still the film is able to suspend disbelief and the audience are glued to their seats and simply enjoyed the ride and journey with Rachel. Minus the hype, the film seems like a run-of-the-mill telenovela plot only that it has more to offer given its up-to-date treatment to an otherwise worn-out story — or perhaps, to an Asian audience, much of what is presented is familiar and familial, such as conflicts between rich and poor, Chinese- and non-Chinese couples, etc. To the global audience, Crazy Rich Asians simply stands out as an Oriental film with Western glossy look and feel.


Crazy Rich Asians is more than just battle between cultures, it is very much about battle between differing values — with the Westerns valuing individuality and the pursuit of personal happiness and ambition and the Orientals valuing family, blood relations, and honoring traditions. The film is utterly successful in bridging the two opposing values with its demonstration of a fervent love that is not shaken nor tainted by others’ opinions and perception — not even a false accusation. Traditions, culture and language may be different from two opposite poles, but the language of love remains universal. Dignity, self-respect and happiness are foundations of a man with integrity sans social status. It is made clear in the film that being rich is not necessarily evil and being poor is not necessarily miserable. Material wealth remains to be at the superficial level of human happiness and it is seen in the film that what is essential is what is in one’s heart — and the relationships that really matter. The bond between mother and daughter is commendable, so are the family values the film presented. The film teaches its audience many life lessons like standing-up and firmness of a person to the value he or she adheres to; being accountable for one’s actions and not blaming others for one’s miseries; valuing sacrifice for the beloved, and respect for one’s culture. But then, there are scenes indicating sexual relationships outside of marriage, some nudity and excesses in drinking alcohol and wild parties, so CINEMA deems the film as appropriate only for audiences aged 14 and up. — RPJ


