Crazy Rich Asians follows New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her long-time boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life.
It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) taking aim. And it soon becomes clear that while money can’t buy love, it can definitely complicate things.
Review:
"Crazy Rich Asians" is Crazy Good.
The contemporary romantic comedy directed by Jon M.Chu (“Now You See Me 2”), based on the worldwide bestseller by Kevin Kwan, is another movie in the resurgence of the genre.
If "Crazy Rich Asians" is an example of what romcoms have evolved into, it only signals great things for the genre's future.
The movie is a feast of love, outlandish antics, and excessive opulence; those factors shouldn't work well together in a movie, but Chu with a very talented cast makes it work outstandingly.
One of the reasons why "Crazy Rich Asians" is so enjoyable is because it gives us a story we haven't seen before. While we have seen the hundreds of romcoms made over the years, it's the change of perspective and viewpoint that ultimately makes the movie feel new.
If you're not a fan of romantic comedies, the movie will do nothing to change your opinion on that. It's a love fest that includes discussions on class, identity, wealth, education and passion.
"Crazy Rich Asians" is exciting for it's introduction to new faces that are rarely seen on the big screen. Following the example that "Black Panther" set earlier this year, the film gives us a cast with a predominantly Asian cast, and that is exciting to see.
The cast of Crazy Rich Asians at the film premiere in Los Angeles, from left: Jon M Chu, Jimmy O Yang, Nina Jacobson, Sonoya Mizuno, Gemma Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Henry Golding, Awkwafina, Constance Wu, Chris Pang, Nico Santos, Ronny Chieng and Ken Jeong. Picture: John Salangsang/Variety
The chemistry between leads Rachel Chu and Nick Young, portrayed by Constance Wu and Henry Golding, is so endearing and believable that it carries the movie when the characters are apart, and this impressive as romcoms can easily fall flat when separating the two leads. "Crazy Rich Asians" manages to not only highlight its side characters but do so in a way that doesn't detract from the leads.
Another standout in the movie is Michelle Yeoh, who has consistently been working in Hollywood, who takes the role as Nick' disapproving mother, and gives her a real sense of motive. Her character could easily come across as one-dimensional, but it was a proactive decision by the actress along with the director, to take the role further than the disapproving mother.
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Nico Santos, left, and Michelle Yeoh in a scene from the film "Crazy Rich Asians." (Sanja Bucko/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)
The movie also does a remarkable job of taking pop music and well-known songs, but having them delivered in Mandarin. It is unexpected, but it completely fits the movie, further adding to its stamp of originality on the romantic comedy genre.
The film has made such an impact in its American debut that the follow-up book "China Rich Girlfriend" has been put into development. Warner Bros.' is moving forward with plans to reunite the first movie's original team. While not officially give the green light to make the movie, it is typical of a studio to wait a few weeks after a movie comes out before announcing sequel plans.
Full details can be read here.
"Crazy Rich Asians" is a movie that has love bursting out of it, but it is also a movie that will leave you feeling poorer after the credits rolled because of how drenched in wealth it is.
It is definitely a movie to be enjoyed with your partner, but more than that, it's a feel good movie that any romcom lover will enjoy.
Cape Argus