Checked out the new romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians… a movie centered on extremely (you might even say crazy) rich Chinese people and the Chinese-Americans who love them. The movie is being celebrated as the first all-Asian cast since The Joy Luck Club 25 years ago… though I’d argue that Harold and Kumar didn’t go to White Castle for nothing…
Crazy Rich Asians is about a Chinese-American immigrant who has been dating a dapper Chinese for a year. He invites her to a wedding in Singapore where she’ll meet his family. Surprise! They (and he) are crazy rich (and she’s not). Will his family accept her? Will his friends? Will he propose and will they stay or return to the US?
This movie is a fairly predictable tale of a rich snobby folk sneering down at the poor person. She doesn’t belong in their world, the parents don’t think she’s up to his standards, etc. It’s a good version of that movie though… but it IS curious that you can take the Asian part of the equation and you’d have pretty much the same movie.
But, yeah, this is a fine, reasonably funny and sometimes very romantic and sweet film. It follows the lead character and a couple of the side characters and their stories are pretty good… even if they are predictable enough the lead comments she feels like she’s in a soap opera.
The acting is generally all around pretty good. Constance Wu is the lead and she’s likable. Michelle Yeoh is the formidable mother and she’s not likable… but damn good at it. Awkwafina is very funny… and maybe so is Ken Jeong if you aren’t sick of him. The lead actor is a newcomer Henry Golding… apparently he’s a talk show host in real life and this is his first real acting gig. He does a good job.
So, yeah, check this movie out if you are looking for a cozy warm predictable romantic comedy. It’s Asian-ness is important to the story more on a symbolic, representation level. And it’s great all these actors got their parts without having to fight white actors and, sure, hopefully that means we get more Asian-centric flicks. Though with China’s box office muscle, that shouldn’t be hard.
Score: 83