Hurraaaaahh - now this is a production I've been waiting for. Thanks Jon M. Chu. I remember reading news reports last year about Kevin Kwan's bestselling novel being adapted into a film - they had even cast this little known guy called Henry Golding who I knew from watching the BBC Travel Show. I counted down to August 2018 but when I went to arrange a cinema trip with my fellow Asian buddies, the November UK release date shocked me. But it turns out I'm not the only one who has been eagerly anticipating Crazy Rich Asians and the phenomenal box office success in the States has led to a quick bump up of dates to September. I've watched it once (the first of many trips) and now I'm truly excited for you to see it too. At the screening, leading lady Constance Wu spoke about how important this film was to her with the words "representation equals opportunities." Her co-stars echoed exactly that. In case you weren't aware, Crazy Rich Asians is the first film by a major studio in decades to feature a majority Asian-American (or Asian-British, Asian-Australian for that matter) cast. It's a glamorous and over-the-top rom-com set in Singapore that celebrates Chinese culture but also presents relatable characters in a cute heart-warming film that can be enjoyed no matter what your background is.
There will undoubtedly be a lot of hype surrounding the film's release but it's also important not to be swept away by it all. Historic milestones and box office records aside, as a romantic comedy, it's still solid fun and takes you on a journey from laugh-out-loud to little-bit-weepy...even if it is a bit/a lot formulaic.
The formula is essentially girl + boy + family + lots of social gatherings x drama + overcoming various hurdles + identity crisis / love = happily ever after??? And naturally, there's a hilarious but loyal best friend, a makeover and Cinderella moment, a wedding and an airport, "did she get off the plane?" style. The main subject in question is Rachel (Constance Wu), a smart NYU Economics professor who is refreshingly independent, self-assured and strong - she's American-born Chinese but has never visited Asia. The man she's been dating for the past year, Nick Young (Golding), on the other hand is from Singapore (but sounds international British). He convinces her to fly to Singapore with him for his best friend's wedding, also doubling as the perfect opportunity to meet the family. Thing is, his family is crazy rich and he himself is somewhat of a local celebrity/Singapore's very own The Bachelor. They're from "old money" and basically own all the Singaporean land. His cousin Astrid (Gemma Chan) buys lavish jewellery but hides them away from her husband, a couple of the other cousins are a bit OTT, and his mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) is head-strong but magnificently steely. Oh, and she does not approve of Rachel one bit. What follows is a sequence of fun parties -they could easily be shallow set pieces but there's a whole lotta soul-searching in the process.
Golding is naturally charming in his debut movie role, but the real star is Constance Wu and her character Rachel. I'm sure people all over the world will be able to relate with the identity crisis of being raised in a non-native environment, of feeling like you'll never quite fit in, of being challenged and having to hold your ground - and nerve. The scenes where she shows defiance and relies on herself rather than her boyfriend to save her are really quite poignant. There's one involving a game of mahjong that will surely be remembered as the standout goosebumps moment too. Strong female presence is matched by screen veteran Michelle Yeoh - part tiger mum, part rom-com "mother-in-law" baddie, part ice queen - but her backstory is an unexpected and moving one and her motivations make her bigger than a mere movie stereotype. The dynamic and interactions between Eleanor and Rachel are more intriguing, even if the Wu/Golding chemistry is rather lovely; the writers have deliberately shifted the focus and boy does it pay off. The entire cast are impressive in their own right (nope, not just because they're Asian and can act) including Ken Jeong, who plays his usual funnyman with 200% commitment, and Awkwafina, who's perhaps one of 2018's breakout stars with sassy performances in both Ocean's 8 and as hilariously memorable best friend Peik Lin. British star Gemma Chan gives an understated but powerful turn as Astrid, delivering poise and fragility in a single expression as she juggles her own family drama.
And even if the cast haven't won you over for some reason, there's still lots to play for. There's Singapore's wedding of the year, upping Harry and Meghan with a dress and sparkly aisle that will make you l-o-l and possibly tear up. In the very grand scheme of things, the wedding plays a less central role but it's still unashamedly the epitome of the word "extra" nonetheless. It's a wedding feast for the eyes. The film is visually pleasing everywhere else too, if grand mansions and gorgeous gowns are your thing. The cinematography is pretty cool, as is every setting (there are lots to keep you occupied), but you'll have to forgive the fact that it's actually filmed in Malaysia...whoops!
Going back to the cultural point, Crazy Rich Asians does well to explore a whole bunch of serious topics under its light, airy 'rom-com' umbrella. They explore the East vs. West culture clash by stamping out the differences between "Asian" and "Asian-American" alongside family politics, traditionalism vs. modernism, social class and the elitist and the like. There are some meaningful flourishes, such as a multilingual covers soundtrack that will make your spine tingle as you hear the familiar chorus of Yellow, even if you don't understand the actual words.
You could say there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of Chinese/Asian films produced over the years, but this is one not for the native audience. It'll speak more to those who are an ethnic minority in their society. You could also say it's not a true representation of "Asian" (Asian could be Indian/Vietnamese/Filipino/Japanese/Korean etc. and there is no one size fits all - obviously) but that would be missing the point and the bigger picture. Critics could also choose to hone in on the fact that not all the actors aren't Singaporean/Chinese (eg. Henry Golding is half-English, half-Malay) but what's important here is what the entire cast represent - monumental steps in the right direction. Credible actors playing roles that aren't the villain or the best friend or the martial artist or any form of tokenism; faces that many will identify with. Just the everyday relatable people - even if some of them are basically billionaires. Maybe not everyday then...
I felt a little bit emotional as the credits rolled - a) because I love a good love story but also b) because this story strikes a personal chord with me as a BBC (British Born Chinese). I haven't seen 1993's The Joy Luck Club so this is the first non-Chinese film I have watched where I finally feel this kind of representation in film. Not that I notice it in other films usually, which isn't necessarily a good thing. Sure, the film's not perfect and if you dissect it I'm sure there are a lot of pitfalls that could detract your focus. But I'm choosing to focus on the feel-good factor, rom-com freshness and the razzle-dazzle, in addition to the hope that someday a casting like this won't be a crazy big deal.
Crazy Rich Asians is released in UK cinemas on 14th September.
- Wednesday, September 12, 2018
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