Brief thoughts on Crazy Rich Asians.

Figured I'd go ahead and pen something down for this movie. I actually intended to review it a long time ago, but other things kept me from seeing it. Thankfully for me, Crazy Rich Asians is still quite a popular and relevant film even a month after its release, a popular audience favorite and critical darling, most often noted for its extensively Asian and Chinese cast. Adapted from the book by Kevin Kwan, there's very little that the film actually does to innovate outside of its progressive casting. But it's still a film that works. Really well.

And that's surprising, given the presence of Step Up and Now You See Me director Jon Chu, and the fact that the modern romantic-comedy often relies on tired formula and leading pairs with virtually no chemistry. And in its initial pitch, it threatens to be just that as well. It's a classic class divide story, a self-made American-Chinese woman invited by her long-term boyfriend as his wedding date, to meet his wealthy family where issues of class divide and prejudice bubble to the surface. It has all the hallmarks of a tired rom-com that I should be bored of. And yet, as this movie so thoroughly proves, a little charm, vibrancy, and superb execution go a long way.

Formula and all, the film is relentlessly charming and entertaining, largely owed to the strength of the cast selling these characters with total sincerity. Constance Wu is a bit of an unknown to me, as I've not seen Fresh off the Boat, but her star turn in this film is remarkable stuff. So much of the film almost single-handedly works because of all the heavy lifting she does, the incredible charisma and luminescence she lends as she takes in the tightly-knit (if exclusive) extended family life surrounding her, and the gracious integrity she shows even in the most aggressive attempts to intimidate her away, such as one nasty incident involving a gutted fish.

But the film isn't only focused on entertainment, as the class divide lends a great deal of emotional resonance and thematic depth to it. For so much of the film, Rachel is both obviously and subtly accused of being a gold digger, despite not knowing the wealth of Nick Young (Harry Golding) until a long time into their relationship. And irrelevant or not, that perception is always going to follow her around, or if not, then the drama of Nick's cousin Astrid (Gemma Chan) and her husband's budding affair shows hints of what such inadequacy could lead to. But even more, the feeling that Rachel's ambitious and outgoing nature, a particular thorn in the side of Nick's mother Eleanor (a snide and standout Michelle Yeoh), means she might not easily adapt to the tight-knit nature of the extended family.

But romance is nothing without its humor, of which this film is loaded with it. Sometimes witty and subtle, sometimes playing broadly, there are quite the number of laughs to be had. Comic relief tends to come most from Rachel's former college roommate Piek Lin (Awkwafina of this summer's Ocean's 8), who gets a lot of the scene stealing moments and the best gags. And on top of being a funny and romantic film, is also a gorgeous one. Even at a lowly thirty million dollars, the money is well spent and clearly on the screen, its visual style and lavish production design provide sumptuous eye candy. Despite the rare instance of looking like a vacation ad, the high production values contribute some breathtaking imagery. I was such a sucker for this movie.


**** / *****