“Crazy Rich Asians” (2018) – John M. Chu’s Captivating Romantic Comedy About Weddings in China

Director: John M. Chu

Starring: Henry Golding, Constance Wu and Michelle Yeoh

‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’

Not many actresses in Hollywood possess the charisma of Awkwafina. Since her rise toward stardom in the 2000’s, Awkwafina has become a beloved Asian-American icon. Whether it is rebellious teenagers, casino robbers or intense creators, Awkwafina has portrayed countless strong characters. Arguably, Awkwafina’s best strength as an actress has often been her bold charisma. She is one of those rare actresses that has often poured both her heart and soul into each and every role. An Asian-American actress with strong commitment towards her craft, Awkwafina has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Through her abilities to portray characters that are compelling, Awkwafina has built a legacy that’s lasting. An icon audiences cherish, Awkwafina has made many fantastic films pushing the bar for what Asians in movies can accomplish. Throughout a commemorated career, the actress has appeared in countless memorable movies tackling strong themes which are definitely without a single doubt worth seeing.

I’m a huge fan of Awkwafina and adore all the films she has produced in her career. However, “Crazy Rich Asians” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2018, John M. Chu’s iconic movie has become a classic. Packed with engrossing production-design, sharp storytelling and bold acting, it’s one of the greatest Asian-American films ever made. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Michelle Yeoh, who portrays a matriarch that struggles to raise a prosperous Asian family. Ultimately, what makes “Crazy Rich Asians” an Asian masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies made about Asian Americans, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It delivers a strong message on social class that will definitely resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about Asian communities, there are several reasons why “Crazy Rich Asians” is a film that’s worth seeing.

Based on the iconic book, “Crazy Rich Asians” tells the story of a young woman that marries into a crazy rich Asian family. Constance Wu portrays Rachel Chu, a Chinese professor that lives in America. Chu has always had a lifelong love for boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding). Nick originates from a wealthy family which is located in Singapore. Despite their differences in social class, Rachel has always gotten along well with a boyfriend which she plans to marry. However, Rachel’s life forever changes when she accompanies Nick to a friend’s wedding in Singapore. As she learns more about Nick’s wealthy family, Rachel begins questioning if Nick is the person for her to marry. Nick’s strict mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) disapproves of Rachel due to her lower social class. Facing a dilemma, Rachel wonders if it’s possible for her to find love in China. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Rachel questions whether she can possibly fit in a family with a societal order.

John M. Chu is a newcomer towards stories of Asian families. Before he directed “Crazy Rich Asians”, Chu had never directed an Asian film in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers experienced by rich Asian families, but he succeeded. Through spellbinding cinematography, Chu captures an Asian woman embarking on a journey to find her identity in a wealthy family. Chu effectively uses montages to capture a Chinese woman seeking to find her identity in Singapore. For instance, montages enhance the Singapore scene. During this memorable scene, Rachel is excited when she and Nick first visit Singapore discovering rich food. One admires montages capturing the culture of China. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As the Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All At Once” demonstrated, montages elevate martial arts blockbusters. As Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” claimed, montages elevate movies about kung fu. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through spellbinding visuals, the Daniels capture tense hardships that crazy rich Asian families seeking wealth are facing.

Another strong aspect of “Crazy Rich Asians” worth discussing is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Chu successfully uses production to capture lifestyles of Asians which follow strict traditions. Throughout the movie, Chu uses set-design to capture wealthy Asian families facing a decline. For instance, the production elevates the mansion party scene. During this memorable scene, Rachel attends weddings organized by Nick’s best friend at a glamorous mansion. One appreciates mansions capturing the social class traditions that are followed by wealthy Asian families. Through this gorgeous mansion, Chu captures the lifestyles followed by wealthy Asian families which provide value. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Brian Tyler’s music gives the movie a cheerful atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that rich Asian families bear. Through phenomenal production, Chu honours commemorated Asian families which live wealthy lifestyles without experiencing any tension.

Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Crazy Rich Asians” is an Asian classic that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture an Asian family that seeks wealth. Chu’s finest screenwriting strength is abilities to capture tensions endured by Asian families through flashbacks. For instance, flashbacks elevate the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Eleanor struggles to get into a hotel with her family enduring racism from owners. It’s a beautiful scene that encapsulates the themes of class in the movie. Through these unique flashbacks, Chu creates strong Asian families which audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to employ in films. As David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” claimed clearly, flashbacks elevate mysteries. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” did suggest that flashbacks elevate classic prison movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Chu celebrated a commemorated book about Asians today.

One appreciates astonishing performances.

Constance Wu delivers one of her greatest career performances as Rachel Chu. Wu earned recognition playing Asian lovers in commemorated television shows. With “Crazy Rich Asians”, however, she took on her most emotional career role. It isn’t easy to portray an Asian woman which is introduced to a wealthy way of living, but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and funny in her finest role. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, dreams and resentment of an Asian-American woman struggling to find acceptance in her boyfriend’s rich family. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest Asian-American actresses working in the industry today.

Michelle Yeoh is magnificent as a conservative Chinese mother that disapproves of her son’s girlfriend which cause disaster. Yeoh is one of those actresses that has always had a flair for playing strong women that are in positions of power, and “Crazy Rich Asians” demonstrated her strengths as a performer. Whether she is disapproving of Rachel during their meeting or pushing her son to make decisions, Yeoh uses her strong expressions to create a character which is compelling. It’s a role which gave the actress a chance to showcase her charisma as an icon in China. It’s a strong performance from one of the greatest actresses working in China today.

The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of recognition. Awkwafina is amazing, capturing the charisma of a young woman that is excited being introduced to a wealthy family that causes a tense dilemma. Henry Golding is stellar, bringing humanity to an Asian hero that struggles engaging in a romance which proves heartbreaking. Lastly, Gemma Chan deserves appreciation. As a woman stuck in a doomed marriage beyond repair, she brings palpable emotions to the movie.

Finally, “Crazy Rich Asians” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing tense hardships faced by Asians. Unlike most films about Asian families, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, family and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Asian cultures to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message on social clad that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Crazy Rich Asians” is one of those rare Asian American films that everyone would adore.

Fans of Awkwafina will definitely appreciate “Crazy Rich Asians” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A strong Asian classic, it celebrates an actress which has built a legacy that’s iconic.

Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about Asian women struggling to find acceptance in crazy rich Asian families which are frightening, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated Chinese actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters that are compelling in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.

5/5 stars