Crazy Rich Asians review by Drusilla Blakey
Not since 1993s The Joy Luck has there been a film where the entirety of the cast was Asian in a Western production until now with director Jon M. Chu’s latest film Crazy Rich Asians. from the novel writen by Kevin Kwan, but does it have that something special to make it stand out or will it not be a relationship worth traveling for?
I have been so excited to see this film for several months now. I love romantic comedies and really liked the idea of this one weaving in real life stories of the rich and fabulous elite of Chinese society. This is an amazing world we in American don't know much about, so I was very much looking forward to it. I was lucky enough to see the movie at an advanced screening and the theatre was buzzing! "I heard the author based this on real life people he knew growing up." "Singapore sounds so fun and mysterious." "I hope they don't mess up the book." These were just some of the conversations that were going on around me and then...it was time to start the movie!
This movie has an amazing cast and everyone did such a great job. Constance Wu who plays our leading lady, 'Rachel Chu', was a pleasure to watch. She exudes such a sweet and charming personality that it's easy to love her as our romantic lead. And her co-star, the very dashing Henry Golding, who plays 'Nick Young', was also a delight to watch. He does a good job of playing the "every guy" character, but you can also see hints of his high class upbringing before his family lineage is revealed. And then, once we are in Singapore with the family, he exudes a princely vibe that is very intriguing and seductive. Again, with him, it's easy to love him as our romantic leading man. It's very interesting to note that this is Henry Goldings very first movie! Amazing!!
Other great performances come from the incomparable Michelle Yeah who is great in everything she does, Gemma Chan who pretty much plays a modern day
princess, the sweet and lovely Lisa Lu who is Nick's grandmother and then, the over the top funny, Awkwafina. She steals the show in every scene she is in and it is fun! Others will also recognize Nico Santos who we see each week on the TV show Superstore. There are other great characters and moments in the movie; but I do not want to spoil anything!
Fans of the novel are sure to love this big screen adaptation. I was able to briefly speak with someone who read the book series and said it's very close. A few things in the story line of the movie are at the beginning of book two, but she was not bothered by the film adaptation at all. For the rest of us, I suggest watching the movie first and then going back to read the book series. I find this is always best because the books are sure to only enhance the story. I for one will be running out to buy the first book this weekend!
Please make time to go see this film. Besides being a fun and engaging romantic comedy, it's a very important piece of cinema with the embrace of the previously mentioned being an entire Asian cast in a Western production in 25 years! (some of you were probably not even watching movies then). So please keep supporting this and be ready to have a fun time!
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This release not only includes the film but also bonus content including commentary, gag reel, deleted scenes, and more. Step into the world of love, money and power when Crazy Rich Asians available now on Digital and then on Blu-ray and DVD on November 20th from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.