Rich in character and cinematography, Crazy Rich Asians is an enjoyable new kind of global rom-com.
Crazy Rich Asians
Grade: A-
Director: John M. Chu (Step Up 2: The Streets, G. I. Joe: Retaliation)
Screenplay: Peter Chiarellin (The Proposal), Adele Lim, based on the book by Kevin Kwan
Cast: Constance Wu (Best Friends Forever), Henry Golding (Monsoon)
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2 hr
By: John DeSando
“We’re comfortable.” Nick (Henry Golding), when asked about his mega-rich family.
As rom-coms go, director John M. Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians (adapted from Kevin Kwan’s 2013 best seller) is crazy better than most because it is unafraid to traffic in stereotypes and clichés with high spirits, good will, and a world vision that sees ethnic differences to be embraced. Even if current high-placed American politicians are xenophobic, this romance will remind the audience of the joy immigration can bring.
Young NYU professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) falls in love with Nick Young (Henry Golding) and accompanies him to Singapore to meet this family. Unbeknownst to her, his family is crazy rich and his mom, Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh), feels Rachel is not from a family that deserves to marry him. The central conflict is between the rich and the not rich, and the theme explores where happiness can be found in that disparity.
As in most romantic comedies, a retinue of comic characters is along to insure things do not get too gloomy—the only all-Asian cast since The Joy Luck Club 25 years ago. For the ride are a richly diverse crowd from mean girls to very good girls and savvy close friends.
But the satisfaction is to see the middle class heroine, Rachel, keep her dignity and maybe her man. The rational forces of Asian family mandates clash with the American value of individuality and passion. American incursions are kept at bay in order to keep control of wealth and heritage. The Romeo-and-Juliet motif is alive and well.
Chinese-American Rachel and Asian-born Nick represent the youthful urge to break away and the possibilities of Sino-American accord built on trust and most of all love. As the young lovers fight the forces of tradition, Crazy Rich Asians encourages them to break away and find their own way. Of course, whether or not Nick will have to forsake his fortune to follow his love is one of the intriguing plot points.
BTW-find out for yourself who wins and loses. The biggest winner of all has to be the audience, which sees a splendid dance party and the best of Singapore at day and dazzling night, a remarkably romantic city for a remarkably romantic couple.
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JDeSando@Columbus.rr.com
