Review of Crazy Rich Asians (2018) by Brinley S — 13 Dec 2018

A Modern Take on a Century Old Story.

Director Jon M. Chu puts a classic spin on a romantic comedy in his latest film Crazy Rich Asians. Based on the book written by Kevin Kwan, the film is significant because it is heavily influenced by Asian American culture. Uniquely the director, actors, storyline and music encompass this culture entirely, bringing something new to world of film. The story begins during the mid 90's on a rainy night in London. Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh) and her son Nick (Henry Golding) arrive at a hotel to make a reservation where they are told that their room is unavailable. After Eleanor makes a quick call to her husband, the hotel owner comes down and introduces Mrs. Young to the staff as the new owner of the hotel. Years later, Nick Young prepares to bring the girl of his dreams, Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) a professor of economics at New York University to his home country of Singapore for his best friends wedding. At this point, the couple has no idea that it is their different family dynamics that will prove most challenging to overcome on their journey to find their happily ever after.

As one of the wealthiest families in Singapore, the Young family is held in high regard by many throughout the world. The wealthy marry the wealthy and that is how it's been for generations... until now. From an outsider's perspective, Rachel Chu is the Cinderella in this story. Although Chu is of Asian descent, she was raised by a single mother in America. On the other side there is Nick Young, the most eligible bachelor in Singapore. Rachel is the outsider, and she is treated like one as well by the Young family's wealthy community. It is significant to note that both Rachel and Nick are of the same culture, but come from very different backgrounds. This film highlights the effects of those differences, drawing in historic cultural patterns that have existed for centuries. This Cinderella story shows that these historic patterns still exist today as well, but how Nick and Rachel eventually overcome them is very significant.

Rachel had no idea what she was getting into when she told Nick she would accompany him back home. She is quickly thrown into Nick's upper class lifestyle, the lamb being fed to the wolves. Alone at the bachelorette party, the girls slowly diminish any confidence she has left as they vandalize her room writing the words "gold digging bitch" above her bed. Even though she's the only girl Nick has eyes for, the jealous women will do anything to tear them apart. Like the evil stepsisters, they tell Rachel she will never be enough for Nick because she is just a low class wannabe. Although Rachel loved Nick before she even knew of his wealth, she wonders if she's really cut out for his upper class lifestyle. Again we see how Rachel's background influences the judgments of others in her Cinderella story.

Later in the film we see Eleanor take on the role as the "evil" mother who will stop at nothing to keep Cinderella from marrying her princely son. As Nick's grandmother Su Yi takes a liking to Rachel, Eleanor's inner struggles begin to unfold. In this culture, approval means everything. Symbolically, the wedding ring is passed down from generation to generation as a sign of approval. Su Yi didn't initially approve of Eleanor as wife for her son so she didn't pass down her ring and Eleanor instead was given another. Eventually Su Yi accepted Eleanor, but the scars still obviously remain. As a result, Eleanor tells Rachel she will never be enough for her son. Rachel realizes that she's had enough. She sees that she can't change where she comes from, because it's a part of who she is.

Despite the comical dialogue and makings of a classic love story, this film tells a different story. It shows that the cultural norms and patterns that existed centuries ago still exist in the modern world. Acceptance and approval from family is everything in this high class lifestyle. Because of her background, Rachel is constantly belittled even though Nick's whole family can see that she is the person that makes him truly happy. At this point Rachel has two options- to walk away or prove herself. How far will she really go for love? How will she ever gain approval from someone who is so set in their ways?

Rachel will stop at nothing because her relationship with Nick matters more than the opinions of others. She integrates herself into the high class society dressing the part and acting the part. Rachel walks the red carpet entering the wedding wearing an extravagant dress, like Cinderella making her fabulous entrance into the ball. One thing that the women can't deny is that Rachel truly is beautiful. Not only is she beautiful on the inside, but also on the outside and that is why Nick is so captivated by her. She is unlike any girl he's ever met before and he realizes this looking into Rachel's eyes while the bride walks down the aisle with Kina Grannis' beautiful rendition of the famous "Can't Help Falling in Love" playing in the background.

Later at the reception, Su Li and Eleanor dig up secrets from Rachels past. At this point, the figurative clock strikes 12 and Rachel runs away. No matter what she did, it was never enough for Nick's mother. Throughout the movie Rachel struggles while learning to embrace her past. Eventually, her mother travels to see her and help her realize that she can't change who she is or where she came from. Rachel finally accepts herself the way she is and for who she is, and decides it doesn't matter how others may view her. Nick fell in love with her because she was different. She was unlike any girl he had ever met. In the end of their Cinderella story, the two realize that love is more important than where they came from. As soon as they accepted that, they found their happily ever after.

On the surface Crazy Rich Asians is a funny, witty film filled with crazy family members, extravagant parties, and the typical happily ever after love story. Underneath, the film puts a modern spin on a century old story, the story of two people who break cultural patterns to prove that no matter where you come from or who you were raised by, in the end it's love that really matters. You must embrace your differences because you can't choose where you come from.

Director Jon M. Chu captures Nick and Rachel's love story while adding humor, making such an emotionally charged topic of wealth and family dynamics a little bit lighter. It's a great film that shares a valuable message and at the same time provides comedic relief. The unique details behind the movie, all centered around the Asian American culture, aide in the portrayal of the theme throughout the film. Such a beautiful way to bring Asian American cultural traditions into view, not to undermine them, but to show the importance of family and love and how they intertwine.