September
05
Tags
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Cinderella is a popular trope in romantic comedy despite its innate sexism. Mix it together with Western unease over the surging might of Chinese capitalism, add a level of excess that even Baz Luhrmann would envy, and you have the core ingredients for the lightweight entertainment that is Crazy Rich Asians(2018).
An ultra-simple plot and loads of visual opulence are the drawcards for this film. New York University academics Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and Mick Young (Henry Golding) have been dating for a year when he invites her to meet his parents in Singapore. It is not until they board their business-class luxury lounge that Rachel suspects Mick and his family are very rich. When they arrive, she learns that Mick is from one of the wealthiest families in Asia. In every Cinderella story, there is a wicked witch: here it is Mick’s imperious and disapproving mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh). The romance hits hurdles as Mick’s family and friends do their best to send her packing. That’s it.
With such a thin narrative, what makes this film so entertaining? Certainly not the all-Asian American cast. In particular, thirty-something Rachel is unconvincing as a top-tier Professor of Economics, and Mick’s ‘deer-in-the-headlight’ naivety makes him a limp Prince Charming. The comedy is pitched at chuckle level rather than belly laughs, except for one ridiculous scene. At a friend’s wedding, the bride and her entourage walk down a water-canal aisle to be married in soaking shoes and water-logged gown: as if any bride in the world would do that. It is the one scene that most reveals the latent satirical streak running through the film: crazy rich Asians mocking crazy rich Americans. With ‘punch a Yankee nose’ gags about American values and an over-the-top display of opulent fashion, jewellery, cars, and homes bordering on fantasy, the film taunts those who are discomforted by the rise of the world’s newest economic powerhouse.
The cinematography takes teasing to another level. Close ups on glitzy trappings of extreme wealth; stunning travelogue shots of Singapore’s hyper-modern architecture; close-frames on mouth-watering Asian cuisine in exciting marketplaces and grand mansions; all combine to make this film a visual treat. The messages are not only for Americans: the borderline gag calling Asian diaspora ‘bananas’ (‘yellow outside, white inside’) is a reminder that home beckons.
As with all films, what you see depends on where you look. Most will enjoy the sparkly entertainment and see Rachel’s ‘love conquers all’ story standing tall for all women. But bear in mind: while we laugh at the film it is laughing at us.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh
CineMuseFilms 
This was such a disappointment! Like for all the craze that’s out there about this film I would have thought there’s an ounce of substance. The actors themselves fell flat, the characterisation was poor, the storyline was banal, even the love story, which would be fundamental to save a film like this, was idiotic at best. If I had a boyfriend that only stood by whilst I’m being tormented, I would feed him to the sharks. The only saving grace was Peik Lim, she’s awesome. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yet the commentariat chorus hails the film despite how lightweight it is. I love it when you talk dirty Jolene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol 😂, I’m just unleashing my frustrations that such a film is so acclaimed, when it’s not representative of the Asian diaspora and such a non-event (2 hours of my life that I won’t get back). And the cast wasn’t even pretty to look at!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“And the cast wasn’t even pretty to look at”. I wouldn’t agree with you on this point Jolene though I acknowledge your other points. From my perspective the cast was extremely attractive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmm…I’ll leave you to defend your visual tastes with this one Anita.
LikeLike
I want you to know that I’m very amused by your comment. (When I press like nothing happens using this device).
To each his/her own.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“While we laugh at the film it’s laughing at us.”
I sincerely hope so. I expected to dislike this intensely because I’d read your review and seen the trailers. For at least the first thirty minutes or so, this didn’t happen and I found myself smiling despite myself. There was something about its exuberance that drew me in.
This palled in time, but I recovered just enough by the end for me to leave the cinema in a happy frame of mind. Extremely light weight but fun, with the right amount of Cinderella fantasy to feed my inner child.
Thank you for another excellent review. This is how I would have viewed it had I not been seduced by its glitzy trappings and wish fulfillment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it Anita. It’s quite easy to go along with a lightweight bit of fun that feeds our inner child, as you put it so well. Its a good example of ‘pea and thimble’ cinema that is clever at disguising how shallow and duplicitious it really is.
LikeLike