Movies: Crazy Rich Asians

 

(Drivebycuriosity) - It is well known that "old money" doesn`t play well with others. Super rich families, who have been accumulating wealth over generations, accept you only if you come from a similar social environment.  The movie "Crazy Rich Asians", which is now on the top of the US movie charts (and doing exceptionally well), shows an Asian variant (imdb). Rachel, a Chinese-American girl travels with her boyfriend Nick to Singapore to meet his family and to attend a wedding party. While Nick is the heir of one of the richest dynasties Asia, was Rachel raised by a single mother and is relatively poor. Arriving in Singapore she has to deal with her boyfriend`s relatives & friends (this is a spoiler free blog. You can find a synopsis here wikipedia ).

"Crazy" is a romantic comedy, a bit kitschy but also funny. Even though the movie is a chick flick I got entertained by watching these snobbish, bitchy and sometimes hilarious characters and events. I think the movie gives a good impression how the super rich may celebrate - and not only in Asia. Being a frequent traveler - I have to use economy class - I got envied by watching people enjoying first class. "Crazy" touches a lot issues like the power of social networks (nicely visualized),  family, friendship, evil stepmothers and more.

The film is certainly an advertisement for Singapore & Malaysia where it was entirely shot. I had visited the city state three times and got inspired to go back. "Crazy" also promotes Singapore´s great cuisine (different Chinese cuisines, Indian, Thai, Malaysian & Indonesian). Many scenes show cooking & eating which seems to be much more important for the Chinese than the Americans.

As usual the movie is spiced with quotes for famous films, I enjoyed a scene which closely followed a similar episode in  "Devil wears Prada"  and there was even a reference to "Apocalypse Now".  It seems that Hollywood is now acknowledging the economic & cultural rise of Asia and I expect many more films with Asian topics & characters.  I think the movie deserves its success and I might watch the sequel which is already in making.

P.S. On top of this post you can see the Marina Bay Sands, a giant luxury hotel where one of the scenes was shot.