Crazy Rich Asians, one of the first American films with an all-Asian cast, has blown up to be one of the biggest blockbuster films of 2018. Released on August 16, this movie has been well-received by critics and the general public for its great cast, plot, and the hopeful future it brings to Asian-American actors.
Never reading the novel, I don’t know how accurate the overall plot and storyline is, so the review of the movie will be purely based on the plot. Now, as a huge rom-com fan, I didn’t think the plot was exceptionally different or unique on its own; the girl goes to meet the family where she is ridiculed and doesn’t fit in.
Why it’s Popular
I believe that the popularity of the movie isn’t because of the general plot, but rather the acting, actors, and details that made the movie become a hit. From recent interviews with the directors and actors, much of the film was improvised and wasn’t on the script.
Outside of the acting, the cast was combined with famous Asian-Americans and native Asian citizens. This, in my opinion, was the real interesting point of the movie, and the public seemed to agree.
Though many applauded the directors and producers for casting an all-Asian cast, many also criticized the production for being too selective and unfair. Furthermore, there was controversy surrounding the male protagonist being only half-Asian. I personally believe that this all-Asian cast is great for both aspiring actors and the Asian community as a whole. Asians, who have been undermined and undercast in films, now have finally gained the attention of the mass public.
I for one have glimpsed over the idea of going into the film industry but I recognized the limited spots and availability for Asian-American spots. Crazy Rich Asians can hopefully increase the number of roles and increase representation of Asians as a whole in the film industry.
Now with the controversy surrounding the male protagonist, I believe that this is completely unwarranted. Yes, he may be half white but he is still part Asian. In fact, he was even born in Asia, living the majority of his childhood in Malaysia. I believe that mixed actors are still positive for the industry and the overall Asian community.
My Opinion
So Ryan, enough about the drama surrounding the movie, how was the actual movie?
I actually really enjoyed the movie. It was lighthearted yet not too lighthearted where it’s boring. The movie was extremely captivating and engaging throughout the entire film.
The jokes and comedic writing was excellent. I genuinely laughed numerous times throughout the movie which actually is pretty hard to do. The movie also had a surprising amount of surprises. Before the film, I didn’t look at the entire cast and the whole theater, including me, was surprised at the actors that were involved.
I have never heard a crowd cheer louder when Ken Jeong showed up on the screen. The surprises were also not limited to the cast, but rather the plot. As I stated before, the general idea of the plot was pretty common, but within the common plot, there were many little details and twists that made the film different from others. Overall, I would rate the film a 8.5-9/10 would recommend to a Jesuit student.
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