A Crazy Rich Cinematic Experience

By Paullah Johannah C. Leopoldo of Grade 11-Nu

Crazy Rich Asians (2018), a film directed by Jon M. Chu that was based on
Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novel by the same name, presented to its viewers the life of
the exceptionally rich Young family of Singapore. Constance Wu and Henry Golding,
who played Rachel and Nick respectively, gave a wonderful and heart-warming
performance that flattered the hearts of the audience. This was along with Michelle
Yeoh (Eleanor Young) and Tan Kheng Hua’s (Kerry Chu’s) touching portrayal of their
grievous characters. And Awkwafina (Peik Lin) and Ken Jeong (Mr. Goh) added a light
and cheerful touch to the film with their comedic roles. All these well-picked actors were
a great asset to the film, with the addition that all its major cast members were of Asian
descent. This Hollywood film brought something new to the table as it explored and
represented the culture of the Singaporeans, both the opulent lifestyle of the extremely
rich and the traditions of Asians in general.

The film opened with an illustration of the Young family’s monetary power that
overcame others’ prejudicial attitude towards them. Then it introduced Rachel Chu as a
passionate Economics teacher with her boyfriend, Nick Young, and their charming and
healthy relationship. Nick invited Rachel to a family wedding and she soon found
themselves on a first-class flight. She learned of her boyfriend’s affluent ancestry, and
promptly faced the prejudice and discrimination from the people she met in her
boyfriend’s homeland for having a lower-class status and an American background. It
also showed Rachel’s struggles as she was welcomed as the Golden Boy’s (Nick’s)
girlfriend. Rachel and Nick, with the help of other significant characters, captivated the
viewers as they overcame the hindrances that arose in their relationship.

The most prominent scene for me was in the wedding. Nick and Rachel were just
staring at each other and no audible words were uttered, but their eyes said so much
more than words ever could. This really showed the intensity of the commitment and
love that they had for each other. Despite having all these oppositions around them,
they were just there in the moment, acknowledging each other’s presence more than
the rest of the world.

The editing and the formal techniques used were well-done. The scenes were
shot at very luxurious settings with spectacular views, such as affluent houses, planes,
and other locations which fit the opulent nature of the film. Aside from Western music,
traditional Chinese music was also used, especially in scenes where Asian culture was
being depicted. And this was employed smoothly and timely in the transition of scenes.
The montages showed the sights and the culture of Singapore along with the
characters. There were also creative graphic visualizations in some parts that helped
the audience keep track and understand the flow of the story. In some scenes, the
lighting was a bit low which affected its ambience; however, this may just be for
practical representations of reality. The transition between the scenes were smooth,
coherent, and creative, but there were some loopholes. With close observation, some
scenes appear to be a little off and redundant between transitions. There were also
some contrivances in the plot. For example, it seems a bit forced that the tan hua party,
which is rarely celebrated in accordance to when the flowers bloom, was held when
Rachel was there to attend it. If not for the party, Rachel wouldn’t have had such a
convenient opportunity to meet Nick’s extended family. However, the contribution it
added to the flow of the story greatly outweigh this small flaw.

The film tackled issues such as discrimination of race and social status.
Specifically, it explored how American-born Chinese people were viewed by traditional
ones. At some point, Rachel’s mother told her, “Your face is Chinese. You speak
Chinese. But in your mind and in your heart, you’re different.” It also portrayed the
pressures and responsibilities the children of rich families bear and how they
incorporated these with their passions and dreams.

In conclusion, the film was fresh take from Hollywood. Not everyone may relate
to the specific issues and themes it tackled, but it could give them an insight to the lives
of these populations that are not yet adequately represented in the industry. The actors
portrayed their characters appropriately and their various attitudes resulted to a balance
of serious and funny, of empathy and laughs. The cinematography and narratology
capture you and grasps your attention throughout the film despite some nuances.
Overall, it is a great cinematic experience. It does not only illustrate certain viewpoints,
but also takes you to the beautiful sights and culture of Singapore.