Crazy Rich Asians: A Win for Rom-Com and Representation
By LYNN YUAN ‘21
Crazy Rich Asians, based on Kevin Kwan’s popular novel of the same name, was released in the US August 15, and was the first major Hollywood production to feature a predominantly Asian/Asian-American cast in 25 years: a win for Asian representation in popular media.
The story follows Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a self-made Asian-American New York University professor, who journeys Singapore with her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) to meet his family. Upon arrival, she discovers that Nick and his family are one of the wealthiest families in Asia and is whisked into the ultra-wealthy life where money is more important than family and action without ulterior motive unheard of. The couple’s trip is packed with adversity, from masses of jealous women who want nothing more than Nick’s money, to the scheming of Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh), Nick’s mother, who does everything she can to separate the pair. This whirlwind of events in the film build up to create the perfect storm, but result in an even more perfect resolution.
At first glance, the production may seem like a risky investment and not worth the $30 million budget poured into it. As Time suggests, a film featuring an all Asian cast set in Eastern Asia seems too niche for an American produced blockbuster movie. Additionally, neither of the leads were well established in the movie industry, and the genre of the movie itself, rom-com, seems like a risky choice in a world of superhero and action based movies. However, this perspective does not take into consideration the power in a move for inclusivity; by having the movie directed by an Asian producer (Jon M. Chu), by incorporating Asian culture and, most importantly, by having an all Asian cast, the movie directly appeals to the large Asian population that has felt both misrepresented and underrepresented in popular American culture.
Crazy Rich Asians was a huge success; according to The Strait Times, the movie topped Singaporean charts in the first week, beating the big-budget production The Meg and becoming the most successful rom-com in Singapore to date. As of now, Crazy Rich Asians has earned over $230 million in box office sales and has earned its spot as sixth in domestic box revenue for romantic comedies with its $170 million as of today, The Numbers reports. The movie also secured a solid 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing many huge blockbusters such as Avengers: Infinity War and Solo: A Star Wars Story, also released this year.
When you consider just how underrepresented Asians have been in Hollywood and in the Western film industry in general, this success makes sense; the only roles Asians have been cast in in Blockbuster movies have been supporting, and plotlines that take advantage of Asian culture have either been stereotypical or misrepresentative. For example, in the movie adaptation of Ghost in the Shell released last year, the lead, who was originally Japanese, was played by white actress Scarlett Johansson. Through its focus on all the ins and outs of East Asian culture, from the food to the consumerism to the nuances of the customs, Crazy Rich Asians gives this widely ignored population the attention that they deserve. Anne Kwok ‘21, who watched the movie on the day of its release, stated that, “The movie meant a lot to me because I finally saw some of the customs and norms that I’m so used...portrayed on the big screen.”
Crazy Rich Asians has it all: a gripping plot, loveable and hateable characters, and fresh new setting combined with an experimental plotline. It’s a great movie that everybody should consider watching. Hopefully, Crazy Rich Asians, along with To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before—another recent movie—incorporating Asian leads and culture on the big screen, we will soon see even more representation of Asian media in the West and finally shine light onto a much ignored culture in film.