Crazy Rich Asians. The most talked about movie this summer and this year. Perhaps even for the next five to ten years. This is the first Hollywood film since The Joy Luck Club to have nearly a full Asian cast. It has set the bar in terms of representation of Asians in this oh so White Hollywood we’ve been exposed to for countless years. Are we making progress? Well yes, of course. But, are we done? We will never be done.
Crazy Rich Asians is more than just seeing a full Asian cast on the big screen. The way this film presents the pros and cons of the Chinese culture is hard to dismiss.
There are a few things that I want to be clear about:
1.Not all Asians are rich
2.Not all Asians are crazy (well I guess it depends on what you define as crazy)
I know plenty of you have asked your Asian friends (if you’re not Asian) why all the international Chinese kids wear Gucci and drive BMWs to class. Now, those Asians are rich or at least presume to be.
When I first heard news about Kevin Kwan’s bestseller book being turned into a film, I was stoked. Not only was I determined to read the book before watching the movie, but I was interested in seeing who would be casted, since there are many Asian actors who’ve risen in popularity within the last couple of years: Constance Wu, and Ken Jeong. There are no complaints here on the casting. In fact, I was introduced to many new actors who I now look forward to seeing more of in the future, like Gemma Chan, Henry Golding, and Awkwafina.
As someone who is mixed race: Chinese and Irish, seeing Henry Golding, an Asian, British actor be the star of this film made me feel immensely proud. Throughout my life, I’ve struggled with finding my true identity, having two separate families, both that came from two entirely different places and political backgrounds. I sometimes find myself lost, unsure of what side I belong to or if I even have to choose a side depending on where I am and who is around me. Growing up as a young actor, I never really saw any Asian actors except maybe Jackie Chan or Lucy Liu, let alone, any half Asian actors on screen. I saw someone who looked like me, for the first time, as the lead role. I saw someone who looked like my grandmother, my mom, my gay cousin, my uncle. Do you know how good that feels?
Similarly, to my personal experiences, I connected deeply with both Nicholas Young and Rachel Chu’s family and circumstances. While this film may promote Asian representation, which by all means is a great thing, it isn't the only thing we should be talking about.
Crazy Rich Asians, personally, tugged on a deeper heart string other than just the strong representation in this film. My following points may be difficult to understand if you are not Asian or did not grow up in an Asian household.
I left the theater crying. Many other people around me leaving the theater had tears in their eyes, also Asian; Asian females in particular. Why was I crying? I don’t even know where to begin. For a second I felt sad for Rachel Chu, the next, I felt happy. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that reflects the struggles of a lower class colored woman falling in love with a colored man who comes from a wealthy family. Just being Asian isn’t enough for marriage, in this particular case. There are different types of ‘Asian’ groups and this is something students are discussing in class nowadays, ‘Colorism’. Colorism doesn't regard to only Asians. This happens with people who identify as White and Black as well. Different from racism, there is still a level of competition and status when it comes to the small groups within one particular race. Small groups could be classified by determining skin tone, status in income, geographically, and anything else you can think of.
One thing that many people don’t know about the Asian culture is that Asian moms love their sons.
Yes, Asian moms, I’m talking about you.
They ALWAYS want the best for them, and that includes finding the “best” wife for them as well. Best would include someone with the same status, or even greater. Rachel Chu has experienced what every girls’ worst nightmare is, being told they are “not good enough”. Not good enough for what? Not good enough for love? Not good enough for the mother’s son? Not good enough to be accepted? It’s all of the above. You don’t have to be Asian to experience this, obviously. But it’s because Rachel Chu is an Asian-American.
Asians who live in Asia have this opinion about ones who leave the country to go to America. America, the land of opportunity where in China, the family value is to only focus on, you guessed it, family. There is no time for YOU. Unlike America, which Young’s family perceives it as – moving to America means you care more about yourself, your own passion and that is all. The longer you stay in America, they more you lose your true Asian identity.
One of the most powerful dialogues throughout the film to me was along the lines of, “When it comes to family, you don’t need to say thank you.” This line is proposing that it is your ultimate duty, in the Asian culture to do anything for your family, whenever and whatever that may be.
(SPOILER AHEAD) Of course because this is a movie, we have the handsome man chasing after the pretty girl on an airplane that is about to take off. He proposes, and they have a happily ever after. Let’s be realistic here, in real life the drama never stops and family issues will always be a factor in any relationship. True love has no price tag and I’m happy that this film portrays that, even through the thick and thin of intimating motherly figures.
One final note: Please go see the movie if you haven’t watched it – even if you’re not Asian. If you watched it already, watch it again. Analyze the mahjong scene at the end. I hope you figure out the connection between that scene and the one in the beginning when Chu is teaching her economic students about “winning”.
So, with that said. “Bok-Bok, Bitch.”
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