You’re Crazy if You Don’t Watch This Sparkling Gem

…If only for the fact that everyone is talking about it. Can I say that 2018 has been quite an exciting year for cultural representation and intersectionality? First Black Panther which was awesome (watch if you haven’t already) and now Crazy Rich Asians (directly inspired from the book trilogy of the same name) which is truly giving a voice to a largely unrepresented culture in film. My friend Phyllis, who is American-born Chinese, had a beautiful articulated Facebook post about this:

As a general rom-com, Crazy Rich Asians is SO good. But for me and for all my Chinese peeps, this film was so much more. I will say, it is by no means a full representation of the Chinese people’s experience nor does it dive into anything in history that has defined who we are today. And that’s really not the point of the movie. What it does do is give representation on screen and in Hollywood for a people group that has historically been mocked and demoted to side characters for decades. #babysteps

To see my culture woven throughout the story (can we discuss that dumpling scene? and Nick’s Ah Ma in general?) was such a foreign concept to me that to experience it was something else! It was like, “YES that is totally a thing!” or “Yes! My grandma has totally said something like that to me!”.  I am beyond stoked to see this film kick off an understanding and appreciation for a culture that has never been fully represented on screen. I didn’t have many Chinese role models in entertainment growing up, but it is exciting to know that whenever I have kids, they will be able to see half of their cultural identity represented on screen.

Also, Michelle Yeoh is QUEEN.

(Check out Phyllis Welsh at @phyllis_mma or @mplsfoodie for awesome Minnesota food recommendations!)

Constance Wu also wrote an open letter about why this is more than a movie, it’s a movement. So yeah, this one’s big.

Director Jon M. Chu sets the stage with a wonderful array of bumping music and we’re whisked away into a fairly basic premise. Girl and guy meet. Girl thinks guy is as ‘poor’ as she is only to find out that he’s actually not. Like not even close – he’s crazy rich and she doesn’t find out until they’ve boarded a long flight to his homeland of Singapore. Side note: Rachel (Constance Wu) forgives Nick (Henry Golding) surprisingly fast. That’s a huge thing to not mention in a relationship, but forgive, forget, and go for it – I guess.

So they’re off and land in the most breathtaking destination – Singapore – where it becomes very apparent that Nick and his family are THE FAMILY. Like the British Royal Family, but flashier and most likely richer. Here Chu and crew do a phenomenal job capturing the beauty and awe of Singapore. My jaw dropped a few times at the beautiful landscape, island/jungle life, architecture – I mean wow.

For Crazy Rich Asians, Family Comes First

It isn’t too surprising that Nick’s mom, played by (Michelle Yeoh), isn’t thrilled with the couple and shows open disdain to Rachel who she says ‘puts her passion before family’. What’s surprising is the depths she and some other less than desirable friends will go to ostracize Rachel. Thankfully she finds friendship in the ethereal Astrid (Gemma Chan) and quirky and fricking awesome Peik lin (Awkwafina). Together these three are total squad goals and honestly I want to hang. What’s intriguing and surprising since the whole family is getting together for Ah Mah’s party and later the wedding, is you never see a photo or meet Nick’s father. I hope this means that for the sequel, we’ll get an amazing Philip Young played by ??? ((cough) Jacki Chan (cough)).

Homage to Asian-inspired Food

An unexpected and entirely delightful few moments in the movie are the very purposeful nods to Asian food. This is Rachel’s first visit to an Asian nation and as she experiences her first taste of authentic cuisine, we the audience get to experience it along with her. I thoroughly enjoyed the long, panning shots of food, sauce, cooking which led to a sense of family bond surrounding food. Clearly food is a very important element in this movie and speaks to family traditions and memories.

Crazy Rich Asians is entertaining as hell, a party for the eyes and ears and phenomenal break-out movie for a under-represented culture in Hollywood and on the big screen. If Jay Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald Minnesota shout-out) were around, he would have party FOMO and rightly so – this crew can get down. I was so invested – laughing, ugly crying, happy ugly crying with these refreshingly complex characters – each well written and wholly their own. Get yourself down to the theater and watch this revolutionary, diversity-embracing film. And mark your calendar for movie #2 & #3. I know I am.

Script Notes:

Did you know Crazy Rich Asians purposefully rejected a Netflix deal? Here’s why.

Watch the trailer: