To See or Not to See: Crazy Rich Asians

I’m not even going to pretend to be unbiased or objective about this movie because I’m not. I’ve waited basically my whole life for a movie like this, full of people who look like me, have grown up with family like mine, and know how to eat like I do.

What a lovely surprise it is, then, that it’s actually good.

As Hollywood moves towards a future full of sequels and remakes, Crazy Rich Asians is a breath of fresh air. Based on the bestselling novel by Kevin Kwan (which, full disclosure, is published by the company I work for) and directed by Jon M. Chu, the story centers around Rachel Chu (played by Constance Wu), an NYU professor who is shocked to realize that her boyfriend, Nick Young (newcomer Henry Golding), is actually from those Youngs. The crazy rich, old-money Youngs of Singapore. He’s essentially the Prince William of Asia, and his mother is the formidable Eleanor Young (played by the icon Michelle Yeoh of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame). Rachel is soon tossed into the shark-infested waters of Asia’s rich and has to figure out if her relationship with Nick can survive. One of the only kind women in Nick’s life that Rachel meets is Astrid Leong. Astrid, however, has her own problems. Gemma Chan embodies Astrid’s glamour and air of melancholy with aplomb.

My favorite character was Peik Lin, Rachel’s hilarious college friend. Ken Jeong plays her father and their whole family is outrageously funny. It’s no secret that I’ve been a huge fan of Awkwafina since “My Vag” came out and it’s been amazing to see her blowing up this year with her role in Ocean’s 8 and now Crazy Rich Asians. She, Kevin Kwan, Jimmy O. Yang, and a few others from the movie made a surprise appearance at our opening night screening in New York which only made the whole experience that much more extra.

The movie made me laugh and made me cry. Is it a surprise that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this movie? On a personal note, I ask that you go out and watch it so that we don’t have to wait over twenty years for the next Hollywood movie featuring Asian Americans as the lead, as the supporting characters, as the director. The world is changing, and let’s show them that diversity does mean good business.

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures