What is so crazy about Crazy Rich Asians?

It took me two years and a global pandemic to finally sit down and watch Crazy Rich Asians. A highly appraised Hollywood blockbuster, the movie drove the internet pretty ‘crazy’ upon its release in 2018. Everyone was talking about it. Everyone loved it. Yet, the only word that came to my mind was ‘meh’.

Without a doubt, Jon M. Chu’s film is the perfect choice for a Friday night; a romantic comedy based on a best-selling novel by Kevin Kwan, written as a memoir about his lavish childhood in Singapore with a twist of family drama and romance. Surely, Crazy Rich Asians broke records by being the first ever major full Asian-American cast movie since The Joy Luck Club (1993) and a symbol for bringing diversity into Hollywood.

But, is there anything more to it than just a bunch of pretty Asians living their best life in Singapore?

Constance Wu as Rachel Chu

The film has a Cinderella-meets-the-Orient storyline, giving the plot little room for surprises. As a fan of romantic comedies, myself, this overused theme makes Crazy Rich Asians feel tasteless and dull, which is disappointing, considering how much excitement this film caused.

An American-born Chinese New York University professor, Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) accompanies her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) on a trip back to his home country, Singapore, to attend his best-friend’s wedding. A perfect romance in the West is shattered in the East as Rachel finds out that Nick’s family is one of the wealthiest in the country. Rachel has to deal with family drama, jealous socialites and Nick’s disapproving mother as questions rise about her family’s past.

While the storyline lacks, it is clear that the actors’ performance is outstanding. Both Wu and Golding have great on-screen chemistry, having previously starred in movies such as Hustlers and Last Christmas accordingly. Awkwafina also pleasantly surprises the audience as Rachel’s best friend, Peik Lin Goh, adding a comic kick to the nouveau riche.

Awkwafina as Rachel's best friend, Peik Lin Goh

Jon M. Chu (also directed Now You See Me 2) was given a budget of $30 million by Warner Bros to cover the entire cost of rich life in Singapore. From private jets to diamond rings this movie is like a tour guide for anyone wishing they could experience extravagant life. And it seems like the public does enjoy to indulge into what rich people’s lives are like, with the movie making a total of $239 million worldwide and being nominated twice for the Golden Globes, making it Chu’s most successful film thus far.

Indeed, these milestones are impressive, especially for a movie with a non-predominantly Caucasian cast. However, the film ignores the other side of Asian life in Singapore. As a multiracial country, Singapore’s total population also consists of Malays (15%) and Indians (7.4%). The lack of represented minority highlights the misguided believe that being Asian means to be Chinese thus, can Crazy Rich Asians truly be ground-breaking?

Lack of authentic casting also raises concerns. Nick’s character in the novel and film is fully Chinese Singaporean yet, he is portrayed by a half English half Malay actor. As a result, Nick has a British accent, which lacks context.

Overall, the film is a Hollywood take on a Korean Drama: stereotypical, clichéd storylines with less melodrama. It is not a bad watch, but is the hype really worth it?