Movie #1560 "Crazy Rich Asians" has been getting high scores from the critics, and equally high scores from audiences. I thought it was good, but it takes steps back in the genre of rom-coms. This is the main genre I watch, and the genre has been changing and evolving, as love between two people has changed quite a bit. Yet this film deals with same old, same old --- ie. guy meets girl and in several months has not introduced her to his family (who live in Singapore) so he takes her back for a wedding, without telling her very much about them --- esp. how rich they (and he) are. And they expect him to come back and run the business some day..soon! Conflict is with bull-headed mother ----- sound familiar? it should. Yes, the story and conflict look familiar, but what makes it an important film this year is that it introduces us to the Asian culture in Singapore. Movies haven't showcased this culture ever in this way so the "stars" aren't the names in hollywood, but we've seen the cast members here in a host of shows, usually not lead roles because, well, hollywood tends to cast white (until recently). Aside from it being important to see, there's a lot to like: costumes, lavishness of the houses and rest of the sets (a la Great Gatsby), just being able to see Singapore was a treat ---learning about the culture, the food, the customs, was very intriguing, but because they are mostly rich and flaunt their richness, they weren't very endearing to the audience......just the lovebirds. The lead girl (the american chinese, as the guy's mom refers to her) is very natural, and thank god for that because everyone else seems to be pushy and over the top characters, characters you wouldn't want to be around. There were nicer people as part of her family, but they seemed to be quiet, & in the background. Her friend is a treat, but her character seemed to go in and out. But that's the major problem with this film --- it is uneven. We have a nice scene with grandma, but then a few scenes later, grandma doesn't seem to be the same woman. She is used to further the conflict, so she's changed from when we first got to know her.....that happens with a lot of the characters.....the bride to be seems nice and natural when we first meet her, not nice when she has all these friends who treat her "new friend" badly, and then a romantic, gentle bride on her wedding day. Maybe that's the "crazy" part the title refers to, but for a film that is introducing us to a new culture, why does it show so many mean aspects of it? And the ending doesn't make sense to me ----- just to get to the rom com expected ending, it doesn't ring true. I do like two aspects besides the costumes/sets mentioned above. One is the main couple -- they are the ones capable of acting , and they come across as natural and caring and principled. The other part I liked is the choice the lead makes toward the end of the film --- it takes place during a backgammon game (I wish I knew how to play it because I think I would have really gotten more meaning out of the "Play") Two strong females, fighting over the boy, both clearly loving him, but someone has to give him up --- a well-played scene. Otherwise, the film is uneven filled with a lot of silliness (why is Eddie in there?). However, I would recommend the film for the introduction of the culture, its strength of the two female characters, and what it says about money! Maybe if we get several more asian films (that get better and better) , we'll see less all white casts and see more diversity that includes asians in major roles in our films in the future!
one more maybe? Maybe someone can speak on the book (because I didn't read it) and tell us if the script does the book justice (?)
I give it 3.5 out of 5
"CRAZY RICH ASIANS" 2018 PG-13
When economics professor Rachel Chu joins beau Nick Young for his best friend's nuptials in Singapore, she's shocked to discover that Nick is the heir to an enormous fortune -- making him the target of every woman in the country.
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