Crazy Rich Asians is a film filled with beautiful people wearing beautiful outfits going to beautiful places.
Which is why I was surprised to find myself a little teary-eyed by the end of it. How does a film about a group of people obssessed with the things on the outside move me so much on the inside?
Crazy Rich Asians, based on the novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan, opens with Singapore-born, New York-based professor Nick Young (Henry Golding) asking his Asian-American colleague and girlfriend Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) to come to Singapore and accompany him to his best friend’s wedding.
Rachel, who had a modest upbringing and was raised by a single mother, discovers that Nick has been hiding one tiny detail about his origins – oh just that he’s an heir to one of Singapore’s wealthiest families.
Thrown into the deep end, Rachel has to navigate through the lifestyle of the ultra-rich and make a good impression, especially on Nick’s imposing mother, Eleanor (Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh).

‘Aunty, don’t worry, if the food runs out I already ordered a lok lok truck.’
Crazy Rich Asians is a fun, dazzling rom-com from start to finish. It’s essentially a Cinderella story featuring a love story between two people from vastly different social classes, conniving characters plotting to tear them apart and there’s even a makeover session!
But it’s also more than that. It’s the first Hollywood movie to feature an all-Asian cast since The Joy Luck Club in 1993. It’s even more special for viewers here as it tells the story of Asians living in our part of the world.
My heart soared when I heard the lahs and mahs fall off some of the characters’ lips. Seeing our unique way of speaking English represented in a Hollywood production is something I never thought was possible.

‘I realise we’re having a beautiful tender moment right now, but you forgot to put the toilet seat down this morning.’ Photo: Warner Bros
However, don’t expect all its Singaporean characters to speak Singlish. In fact, some of them sport accents from the West, which can be a bit confusing. But then again, it does make sense since these affluent characters probably received an overseas education.
Then there’s the food. Chicken rice, satay, kuih lapis. The film features in vivid detail an array of scrumptious food I’ve eaten my whole life, which made me feel a surge of pride and not to mention, made my stomach growl.
Of course it wouldn’t be Crazy Rich Asians without showing viewers the “crazy rich” part. The film spared no expense in making sure its characters are swimming in luxury.
Aside from the resplendent designer frocks, the set and production design is absolutely decadent. One scene in particular, which sees Nick’s best friend getting married in a nature-themed wedding ceremony, is so over the top yet magical. (Mark my words, wedding planners will be flooded with requests to recreate the ceremony, which can only be described as “paddy field glam”.)

‘Did someone say there’s a lok lok truck?’
While the film is set in Singapore and features iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, some of it was shot in Malaysia. Seeing Carcosa Seri Negara – used in the film as the Young family’s mansion – in all its glory actually gave me goosebumps.
Another thing that gave me goosebumps? Superb acting performances especially by the incomparable Yeoh. The former Bond girl had a look in her eyes that told her character’s story even before she said a word.
Awkwafina, who plays Rachel’s best friend Peik Lin, is probably the most memorable character from the show. She is hilarious. Her down-to-earth comedic sensibilities nicely contrasts the uppity world the film is set in.
It was hard for me to imagine Wu playing Rachel initially because I only saw her as the no-nonsense mother of three from Fresh Off The Boat. But Wu proved me wrong. She embodies both Rachel’s vulnerability and strength.

‘Son, it’s probably not a good idea to wear an all-white suit at the chili crab dinner.’
Travel host-turned-actor Golding does not disappoint in his first ever acting role. He manages to evoke an air of sophistication but there’s also a kindness and a warmth in his eyes, which lends beautifully to his character Nick.
Ultimately, what impressed me most about Crazy Rich Asians is it showed viewers what it means to be Asian through and through, not just in the way we speak or the food we eat or by having an all-Asian cast on screen.
One of the major strands of the film is the importance of filial piety – putting our elder’s wishes first, often ahead of our dreams and passions. This moved me to tears.
It’s significant because Hollywood movies have always preached the idea that we must chase after our own dreams no matter the cost. While that is something we Asians want to do, sometimes we simply cannot because of these Asian values that we hold dear to.
For the first time, or what feels like the first time, we have a Hollywood movie explaining why.
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Pierre Png, Tan Kheng Hua.
8 Comments
Redxuan Sulaiman
August 23, 2018 at 4:00 pmSuperb movie. Worth watching.
NPG
August 23, 2018 at 8:24 pmFunny how “the Asians” are portrayed here. Great for fair skinned people…..”the Caucasians” of Asia.
S. Aljunied
August 23, 2018 at 10:35 pmThis is “superb movie” only if you are ethnic Chinese. For the rest of us so-called Asians, we can only sit on the side-lines, open-mouthed and drooling like half-wit morons.
Max Ng
August 24, 2018 at 1:39 amA truly momentous milestone for Malaysian talent which unfortunately is not publicized enough by our local press.
The amount of Malaysian talent in this movie in front of and behind the scenes – from the lead actor Henry Golding to matriach Michelle Yeoh, comedian Ronny Chieng, Actress model Carmen Soo. A Malaysian screenwriter Amber Lee, plus an Accountant who recommended Henry to the director John Chu!
The Singapore crew hung out with Singapore press and are revered across all media – as Malaysians we ought to celebrate this tremendous level of talent and give a wonderful round of applause and support to the incredible Malaysia cast and crew – this is a truly excellent example of Malaysia Boleh.
Jalur Gemilang, Bintang Anak Anak Malaysia Memang Terang
ongmarosa
August 24, 2018 at 1:07 pmIt seems to me like some Asians need Hollywood’s validation in order to feel good about themselves. If I want to watch a movie with Asians in it, there are plenty to choose from. We have a thriving movie industry here in Asia. This movie is a Hollywood production with Asians in it. That was it. Even the male lead is more British than Asian to me. In other words, racially ambiguous to me. Can’t relate.
annoynimous
August 25, 2018 at 9:48 amCrazy Rich Asians starring Jho Low, Paris Hilton & Miranda Kerr would have been a 10/10
SFKL
August 28, 2018 at 10:17 amI didn’t hear lahs and mahs. All I can hear is English accent, American accent and only 2 spoke truly asian accent and one of them is Michelle Yeoh who was excellent in here but not enough. The movie may be about Asians but it hardly feels asian. And too many subplots, when only 2 were given some focus and the main couple in the end not enough focus. I wish more was done for rachel and Elenor but the movie just wants to dazzle. In the end it is a story about fitting into the world of super rich people or crazy rich people. It isn’t about an ABC trying to fit into traditional asian role, I don’t see that at all. I just see poor girl in rich people’s world. Most of her difficulties are touched upon but not expanded. It felt like so many unresolved moments just resolved to fit into a nice perfect ending. Wonder what Daddy Young thinks. Henry Golding is looking fine but his role is nothing more than prince charming. If his Nick has any conflict with his family, it went unresolved because focus was quickly shifted to Rachel. Poor Nick was just there looking good. But acting’s fine. No complaints. I know a lot of focus is on the friend who is also very very rich, but I find the funniest was the… cousin? That fashion guy who helps to resolve issues? He was funny. I don’t see why many are insane over this movie or like this reviewer says, very proud. The plot is typical Asian drama plot. But I do get it. At least it is not some kung fu flick or sexually repressed asian woman in abusive male dominated world. It’s not really a romcom. It’s a social statement but what social statement depends on viewer. Some says it is how a girl accepts herself and be accepted, etc. Rachel changed. But in the end she stick back to being herself in the confrontation scene at the mahjong centre. But just 1 scene and elenor is changed? A bit too convenient. And Elenor is right. Rachel does take nick away from the family as she feared, that kind of mindset. Anyway story wise, it is not well focused. It’s an achievement, for Asians in western world. This is how Asia and Asians are in the eyes of Hollywood.
Sam
August 30, 2018 at 11:51 pmI had heard so much about “Crazy Rich Asians”, so when the movie opened at my local cinema, I went to see it, but I was disappointed. Why? Because it was predictable. It had a happy ending which I knew was going to happen, after all this is a Hollywood studio movie. The story (poor girl falls in love with rich boy) has been done before many times (“Love Story” come to mind), the only difference this time is the cast are all of Asian background. Another disappointing element was the language. The story is supposed to take place in Singapore, yet, hardly any of the Singaporeans in the film speak Singlish. Henry Golding’s character speaks British English, while his mother (played by Michelle Yeoh) speaks very proper English. Also disappointing was the many subplots in the movie that sometimes confused viewers, for example, the character Astrid who discovers her husband’s infidelity. What was the point of that side plot? I was also disappointed by the rich people’s partying and drinking that seemed excessive. When do these people work? Is that a true representation of the wealthy in Singapore? Finally, Singapore is a multi-ethnic country, yet the movie shows it as a country of Chinese people. The Punjabi Indians in the movie were cast as security guards, a very stereotypical portrayal which seems to cater to Western audiences rather than Asians.