'Crazy Rich Asians' Is Overrated, but It's a Pleasing Watch

Based on the novel of the same name, Crazy Rich Asians is a rom-com film about an Asian-American economics professor named Rachel Yu (Constance Wu) who is asked by her long-time boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) to accompany him to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore, which will also serve as an opportunity for her to meet his family for the first time.  On the way, she’s shocked to learn that Nick’s family is actually extremely wealthy, and belongs to the highest of Asia’s high society.  Thus, Rachel finds herself having to stand tall in an uncomfortable environment where friends are few, obnoxious socialites are all around, and the disapproval of Nick’s icy mother (Michelle Yeoh) is hanging over her head.

This film is overrated.  I don’t mean that it’s bad.  I just think that people has given it too much value for what it really is because of the fact that it’s a Hollywood production set in modern times whose cast is entirely made up of actors of Asian descent.  But, at its very essence, it’s a very familiar story simply repackaged in a new, shiny form – in this case, its dominant “Asian” quality.

Nevertheless, again, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad.  It’s definitely an enjoyable watch.  Specifically, it’s visually exquisite.  If nothing else, it has shown Singapore to be an extremely appealing place.  And despite how many rom-com clichés the screenplay has, it can’t be denied that their execution in the narrative is solid.  There are one subplot involving Gemma Chan’s character that I really didn’t care for (though, for the record, I’ve always loved Gemma Chan), but as far as the main storyline is concerned, I was legitimately invested.  Moreover, the major performances are strong, the exclusively Asian cast is honestly charming (Ken Jeong is obviously given free rein to improvise; and Awkwafina, who plays Rachel’s college friend living in Singapore, is certainly funnier here than she was in Ocean’s Eight).

In the end, though it didn’t quite resonate to me, I found that there are pleasures to be had from Crazy Rich Asians.  Though it’s not as grand as the hype makes it to be, it’s undeniably entertaining.  And I’m actually interested in seeing more of its world in the inevitably coming sequels.