‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Is Both a Celebration of Culture and a Universal Love Story

Sandra Miska

With Hollywood films featuring predominantly Asian casts being so few and far between, it comes as no shock that “Crazy Rich Asians,” the film adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s novel of the same name, has generated so much buzz and excitement. A romantic comedy told through the eyes of an American woman in a foreign land, “Crazy Rich Asians” explores issues related to class and race, though it is not meant to be a heady or political film, but rather an escapist one, a Cinderella story on steroids. The said Cinderella is Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a Chinese-American economics professors whose dreamboat boyfriend, fellow academic Nick Young (Henry Golding), invites her to come home with him back to Singapore to celebrate the wedding of his best friend, Colin (Chris Pang), and, more importantly, to meet his family, a sure sign that a proposal is imminent. Like many scions of old money living in New York, Nick keeps a low profile and manages to stay under the radar, that is until an Asian reporter spots him with his lady at a restaurant. In an amusing scene satirizing the power of social media, news of Nick’s asking Rachel to the wedding over dessert makes it to the other side of the world before they even finish their cake. However, Rachel doesn’t know what’s up until she arrives in Singapore and learns the truth, that her boyfriend is the adored son of one of the wealthiest families in the city-state, and what ensues is a tale that celebrates aspects of Asian culture while exploring universal themes.

Warm, intelligent and beautiful, Rachel, to the American viewer, seems like the ideal daughter-in-law. Confident and optimistic, she goes into her first meeting with her possible future mother-in-law, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), self-assured, despite a warning from her own mother, Kerry (Tan Kheng Hua), a Chinese immigrant who made sacrifices to ensure her daughter’s happiness, that she may not be accepted by the Chinese-Singaporeans due to her being an American. Kerry turns out to be right, as Eleanor almost immediately makes it clear that she disapproves of Rachel and her silly American beliefs about the importance of pursuing one’s passions. To further complicate things, Mrs. Young and many others see Rachel as the reason Nick has yet to take up his rightful place as head of the family business. There is also, of course, a rival suitor, Nick’s snobby ex and fellow one-percenter Amanda (Jing Lusi), but Rachel’s real foe is Eleanor. Yeoh is pitch perfect in this ice queen role, especially in the scene in which she puts her hand to Rachel’s cheek and delivers a harsh truth.

With its opulent scenery, beautiful and vibrant fashions, “Crazy Rich Asians” is a visually-stunning film full of eye candy. For a group of people that stress duty above personal happiness, those in Nick’s world sure know how to have fun. In the middle of all the parties leading up to to Colin’s fairy tale wedding, there are repeated conversations regarding what is expected of Nick, how Rachel’s lack of connections is a negative, and this overuse of on-the-nose dialogue is film’s one major weakness.

Much has been made of the vibrant cast of“Crazy Rich Asians,” and the film certainly showcases some underrated comedic talents, such as Jimmy O. Yang, Nico Santos, and the biggest scene-stealer of them all, Awkwafina as Peik Lin, Rachel’s wacky former college roommate, who acts as her guide in this crazy world. Just regular rich, Peik Lin’s warm and loving family provide much of the film’s laughs, especially her eccentric father, played by none other than Ken Jeong. Another standout is Gemma Chan in the more serious role of Astrid, Nick’s favorite cousin and one of Rachel’s few allies in Nick’s circle, whose emotional subplot explores whether money can buy happiness (spoiler: it can’t).

While “Crazy Rich Asians” includes numerous references specific to Asian culture, it’s themes relating to being an outsider and the child of an immigrant will resonate with many. At the end of it all, it’s also a good old-fashioned romantic comedy, sure to be a hit with anyone who just loves a happy ending.

“Crazy Rich Asians” opens Aug. 15 nationwide.