Crazy Rich Asians
Plot
Rachel Chu is a 20 something professor of economics, who has been dating Nick for some time. They head to Singapore together for his best friends wedding. There, she discovers his family is very wealthy; and his mother – the culturally appropriate Eleanor, disapproves of her – due to her American upbringing, and quest for her own career.
Direction
Nice direction by Jon M Chu – who lucked out with a screenplay that involves Billionaires within the story-line – as much of the settings are in buildings and homes of the ‘uber wealthy.
Cast/Characters
Constance Wu, who was midway through her run on the television program Fresh off the Boat at the time plays the sweet nature Rachel brilliantly. She is the kind of girl who you’d want to take home to mum, and that is why it (albeit cliche) odd when Nick’s mother takes an instant dislike to her.
Henry Golding plays Nick; and despite the controversy around his casting is solid – and holds his own as a leading man, with his good looks and British accent.
Michelle Yeoh plays Eleanor, Nick’s mum – and holds her own in what is essentially the only real antagonistic role in the film. The confrontation scene between herself and Rachel at the climax of the film was done well, but I thought it could have been ‘amped up’ ever so slightly.
A whose who of Asian celebrities also appear as friends or family of both Rachel or Nick including the likes of Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Jimmy O Yang, Ronny Chieng
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
Leaning on a more culturally relevant screenplay; the film does lead itself to an audience with familiarity with Asian culture and family customs. Having some understanding of this, with my wife being of Asian decent, I was a little more understanding (and even had to get her opinions on some of the themes and situations that occurred.)
Rachel is a sweetly written character, as is Nick. They come from two very different worlds though. They are adorable together, and we really root for them to get their happy ending.
There is a little overuse of exposition early in the film, when Nick and Rachel get to Singapore and Nick is explaining his family and the streets of Singapore itself. Some of the family drama (especially Astrid and Michael’s) felt a little tacked on, and think it probably worked in the confines of the source material – but did not have the same emotional impact here.
Eleanor is a very well written character in that she is both conflicted, and hypocritical of her behaviour towards Rachel. She herself married into a family where her (never seen) husband put work first in order to build the family dynasty – and wants Nick to have a partner who wants to put family first. She is also hypocritical in that aspect as Rachel is career driven – and that Eleanor wouldn’t be in the financial situation if her husband hadn’t put work before family.
Score/Soundtrack
There is cute score, as well as a soundtrack that features some Asian versions of pop culture songs such as Material World
Overall
Very cute RomCom with some great cast.
A little congested with the screenplay, especially the many cousins of Nick who each have their own family disorder, but the narrative of Rachel and Nick makes up for it.
A strong recommend.
4/5
If you’re able to, please “buy me a coffee”