Movie Review: Crazy Rich Asians (2018)…No Spoilers, We Promise! - Arts & Culture

The anticipation for the film adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel Crazy Rich Asians has caused a flurry with movie goers excited to see their favorite Singaporean high society characters come to life on the big screen. In an early screening of the picture, we have decided that the movie offers more than an insight into the lives of the rich and famous, but also makes us extremely proud of be Asians.

Buzz around the film has escalated in the past weeks, making the premiere of the picture somewhat of a pop culture phenomenon. The cast and crew never fail to remind us that Crazy Rich Asians is the first Hollywood studio movie in 25 years (since 1993’s Joy Luck Club) to hit the silver screen with an All-Asian cast. Although that statement may not be entirely true (Memoirs of a Geisha premiered in 2005), we looked for clarification. The Jon M. Wu blockbuster is actually the first studio film telling an Asian-American story. This is still a reason to celebrate. The film allows new voices to be heard and new skin colors to be represented to an international audience. This alone is a feat that should be remembered, and will be remembered in Hollywood’s long and complicated history.

RELATED READS: “The Real Crazy Rich Asians” As Told by Harper’s Bazaar

Crazy Rich Asians (2018) is the film adaptation of the Kevin Kwan's best-selling novel
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) is the film adaptation of the Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel


Now, is the film actually good?
Yes, it is.

The film centers around Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), an economics professor at New York University, who is invited to Singapore by her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) to attend the wedding of his best friend. Rachel is unbeknownst that Nick is actually from the glittering world of Singapore high society, one of the scions of Young family, a major land developer. Upon arriving, she is swept into their world. She begins to re-evaluate their relationship, when introduced into the catty lives of the ultra-rich. Nick’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yoeh), who believes Rachel is unworthy of her son, will do anything to let the young professor know it. The claws come out for this fun, romantic comedy.

Although Crazy Rich Asians isn’t the end all and be all of romantic comedies, it makes for an extremely enjoyable viewing experience. It has the re-watch ability of such films The Devil Wears Prada and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, that we’re pretty sure that if this one is on television, you won’t have any doubts in your decision to watch it time and time again. The screenplay is clever, the direction serviceable, and the visuals compelling (there’s a nice balance to the elegance of the Young’s to the Nouveau riche as presented through Goh Peik Lin’s family).

RELATED READS: 13 of Singapore’s Real Crazy Rich Asians

Constance Wu at Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Constance Wu at Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor Young in Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor Young in Crazy Rich Asians (2018)


Constance Wu, the Asian-American actress who became famous from television show Fresh Off the Boat, is a natural movie star and carries the entire film on her shoulders. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get much help from her male co-star, Henry Golding, who looks the part, but is given an extremely underwritten role. Wu shines, perfectly balancing heavy emotional scenes and comedic-punch lines necessary to make a romantic comedy work. The icon that is Michelle Yeoh is the ideal tiger mom to Wu’s young professor. Elegant in nature and appearance, she is a ferocious force to be reckoned with. New fans and fans of the book will be extremely happy with the iconic opening scene set in a London hotel on a rainy day. You’ll leave the theater inspired to be that rich, and proud to say that Asians are pretty, excuse our slang, “bad@**”.

Supporting players such as Akwafina (who plays Goh eik Lin), Gemma Chan (whose quiet Astrid works), Nico Santos (as Oliver T’sien), Chris Pang (Colin Khoo) and Sonoya Mizuno (Araminta Lee) are welcomed additions to the all-Asian cast. For all you Kris Aquino fans out there, you may feel a little disappointed with her role, which is basically a glorified cameo that was highly publicized by the Philippine media. Still, Kris was serviceable and fun, mostly because of the novelty to see one of our own play in this world.

RELATED READS: A Reaction Piece on the First Crazy Rich Asians Trailer

Henry Golding as Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Henry Golding as Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians (2018)


Apart from assembling a solid cast of Asian players, Crazy Rich Asians does extremely well in bringing to life the luxurious side of Singapore. Cinematography Vanja Cernjul lenses the capital city in its most beautiful light. Costume designer Mary E. Vogt (who produced some iconic costumes in career, like her work in 1992’s Batman Returns) commissions both internationally acclaimed couturiers and local Asian designers to dress her stars. Her design eye is glittery, colorful, and ultimately opulent, yet still believable. The characters felt “live-in” in their wardrobe. The fashion in this movie will be remembered for a long time, and may lead her towards an Oscar nomination come next year. Nelson Coates does well as production designer, scouting luxurious locations in Singapore that we all wish we’d been to or will go to. It all culminates at the grand wedding scene and reception, which you have to see to believe.

Overall, Crazy Rich Asians is a fun two and half hour ride filled with eye candy and clever dialogue. We look forward to the upcoming sequels (if it’s a big hit, it’ll be very likely) to see how Rachel and Nick’s drama continues to unfold under society’s watchful eye. In the meantime, run to the theaters and support this important moment in American-Asian cinema. It’s a golden moment that can only become a golden movement if those theater seats a filled.

Order your print copy of this month's LIFESTYLE ASIA Magazine:
Download this month's LIFESTYLE ASIA digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]