We've seen this story dozens of times. Rich boy (Henry Golding) meets common girl (Constance Wu Wu), and the families come between them — but we've never seen it like this: Big, lush displays of crazy big scenes — with an all Asian cast.
Although I've seen the novel covers lined up in the hands of sunbathers at my pool all summer (and the summer before), I confess that I have not read the book series. I do know that it was important enough for Netflix to battle Warner Bros for the rights to this franchise.
Producers and director John Chu (Step Up 2, 3 and Now You See Me 2,3) ultimately passed on the larger Netflix payday, presumably to bring it to the big screen not the small. It's the first all-Asian ensemble onscreen since The Joy Luck Club 25 years ago. And boy, they delivered a cinematic experience that the novel's fans and newcomers will marvel at. Every penny of the $30 million budget is seen on screen.
To be clear, this is a feel good, chick lit', rom com with relatable girls in fab clothes and guys with shirts half open or off. However, the material is elevated more than say, Pretty Woman or something starring Kate Hudson. The cast is stellar. Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies) lights up the screen as the boy's mother, and summer-it girl Awkwafina (Ocean's 8),as the girl's bestie, provides big smiles. Both will be on supporting casts lists until Oscar nom time.
This is a huge film for summer movie lovers looking for a romance, and a big win for representation. It's going to be crazy big.
In a nutshell: You'd be crazy to miss this in the theater.
Award potential: This Golden Globe-friendly fare could go all the way to Oscar. Watch out Black Panther, this may be the new lighthearted movie with a diversity story ready to fill that tenth prime Best Picture slot. Yeoh is a contender for Best Supporting Actress nominations and Awkwafina should do well at the Golden Globes and film offers.
The ten buck review: Worth ten billion bucks. OK, ten bucks.
Crazy Rich Asians opens Wednesday August 12, 2018.
