Crazy Rich Asians
Not since the successful and
moving 1992 film “The Joy Luck Club”, has there been an all Asian English-speaking
cast film made in the USA. Now someone in their marketing wisdom thought 26 years
was long enough to give it another cinematic try in the more dramatically
lighter story called “Crazy Rich Asians”.
Early in the film we meet Rachel
Chu. She is an Economic's Professor at a college in NY city. She loves her job
and her boyfriend; a handsome, sophisticated and highly educated man named Nick
who is madly over heels in love with her. One day Nick asks Rachel to go with him
to Singapore to attend his best friend’s wedding. Rachel happily looks forward to
accompanying her longtime boyfriend to see where he was raised as well to be
able to meet his parents who for the most part Nick has been pretty secretive
about.
On their flight to the wedding
Nick reveals his parent are “financially comfortable”, but upon their landing
in Singapore Rachel learns to her surprised Nick’s family is mega wealthy
and he's also considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors. Now
feeling pressure to be liked by his Nicks upper crust family she is thrust into
a spotlight, where she has to contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives
and something far, far worse…………….. Nick's difficult and perpetually disapproving
mother.
REVIEW: At it’s
core “Crazy Rich Asians” is a fun filled cinematic frolic through the prism of an
old time romantic story. Part "Cinderella" and "Romeo and Juliette" and cable's TV Land's "Younger", this film breaks no new ground in the romantic fairy
tell genre. Nor does it offer anything meaningful or shocking or anything that
could be considered as having a weighty dramatic twist to its plot. No “CRAs” is none of
these. But what it does offer is a sweet, lighthearted, satisfying and sometimes
emotionally sad and emotionally uplifting spin on what’s it like to be young
and in love all though some exquisite cinematography that will have you
googling Travelocity to get tickets to Singapore.
The overall arc of this story is very delicate and stays on the periphery of not being too serious in its execution. It never really
takes any huge risk in delving too deeply in its plot development nor into making any of the cast members seem way too
unlikable or way too likable. Instead the
films direction cleverly makes all of the cast member seem appealing in their
own unique varying ways - they all come across relatable to the audience. And mixed with just the right amount of humor and
sober reflection “CRAs” stays in its lane all through its 2 hour running time of
being a film about personal empowerment, the importance of family traditions and
young love through the filter of the Asian culture.
“CRAs” is a sparkling film that includes an imaginative location for a bachelor party, an exquisite wedding scene and a breath taking finale on the top of a hotel. This film kept me smiling trough out with
solid performances all around, with a special note towards rapper and actress Awkwafina
who was a scene stealer in every frame with her quick witted and timely
humor.
Underneath it all “CRA’s does try to ask and answer an age-old question; that being can money buy
happiness?. I don't know and neither does the film really answer that in my opinion. But what the film does do through some gorgeous visuals, romance, beauty, Asian culture and my $10 bucks last night for the ticket, I can say it gave me a lot of plain old entertaining joy and was well worth the price for it. And if you see it I believe it will do the same for you.
3.50 Stars
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