Crazy Rich Asians is an American romantic comedy film that hit the screens in 2018 and became an instant success. The highest-grossing romantic comedy of the last ten years, Crazy Rich Asians, was directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim. The screenplay was adapted from the 2013 novel of the same title authored by Kevin Kwan. The film follows Rachel, a young Chinese-American economics professor at New York University, who travels to Singapore to meet her long-term boyfriend’s family.
Upon reaching the destination, she learns that Nick Young, her partner, is not what he told her he was. As the heir of the richest family in the whole country, he is expected to put his parents’ interests before love. This essay argues that the commercial success of the movie can be explained by the masterful use of film elements, such as theme, sound and design, visual design, and others.
The movie Crazy Rich Asians develop timeless and timely themes that could be found in any romantic novel of the past as well as resonate with viewers today. One major theme is a tradition that finds its embodiment in Nick Young’s mother, who rejects her potential daughter-in-law. However, it is not Rachel’s humble beginnings that put the woman off but her strong, American-style individualism. Nick’s girlfriend is a believer in the power of a dream and following one’s heart, even if it means breaking the mold of tradition. Unlike Nick Young, Rachel was given the liberty to carve her path in life. Eventually, the male protagonist has to choose between his family’s traditional expectations and personal happiness.
The movie’s inarguable charm is its strong use of cinematography. The viewer is encaptivated by stunning views of Singapore, picturesque sights where the celebration takes place, and the Young clan’s exquisite mansions. In an interview for Variety, the cinematographist Vanja Cernjul said that he recreated the relaxed atmosphere of Rachel’s New York world by using a hand-held camera and looser framing (Tizard). However, when shooting in Singapore, Cernjul preferred strong, almost geometrical compositions to show how orderly and even rigid the Young family is (Tizard). Cinematographic devices not only allowed for attractive shots but also conveyed the plot and depicted the clash between the two worlds.
Crazy Rich Asians were accompanied by a soundtrack album with contributions from different artists. Half of the songs in the soundtrack are about money, such as “Money (That’s What I Want),” performed in both English and Chinese. Such a choice is ironic because Rachel fell in love with Nick even before she knew that he came from money. However, the title shows how Nick’s relatives portray her in their heads – a nobody who wants to elevate her status. The second half of the album contains romantic songs about love, including the jazz rendition of “I Want You to Be My Baby,” showing the longing of both characters to be united despite all external hurdles. The selection reflected the main conflict of the movie: family wealth imposing its own rules vs. genuine love for a person who may not fit the mold.
One of the most interesting characteristics of Crazy Rich Asians is its approach to costume design. Mary E Vogt, the costume designer, said that she wanted to give everyone a leading role through her choice of outfits. For example, Michelle Yeoh worked closely with Vogt to create an ambiguous presentation of the mother, Eleanor Young. Though she wears graphic, almost severe silhouettes to show off her strictness, the color palette is intentionally pastel, which reveals her softer side (Newbold).
The most stylistically important fashion reinvention was reserved for Rachel. Starting in casual outfits, the female protagonist has to wear more upscale clothes to impress the Young family. The culmination scenes include Eleanor Young and Rachel wearing dresses in similar shades of blue, making them equal in their confrontation. However, Rachel’s outfit also had Cinderella allusions, showing that despite her best efforts, she was still an impostor at the ball. All in all, costume design emphasized the importance of clothes and makeup for developing characters and advancing the plot.
Depicting a conflict of cultures and values, Crazy Rich Asians is one of the most popular romantic comedies of the last decade. It owes its success to equal attention to all essential film elements. The movie uses the timely and timeless theme of Southeast Asian tradition that clashes with American individualism as Rachel meets the Young family. Following the family’s traditions is juxtaposed with pursuing a romantic interest and finding personal happiness, which makes for a difficult choice for Nick Young, the main male character. The soundtrack further developed the themes of money and impossible love, while cinematographic devices deepened the conflict between the two worlds. The latter was achieved by contrasting looser frames of New York City and strict, geometric shots of Singapore. Costume design also played an important role in developing characters and advancing the plot.
Work Cited
Crazy Rich Asians. Directed by Jon M. Chu, performances by Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, SK Global Entertainment, 2018.
Newbold, Alice. “Couture Stuck In Customs And Wizard Of Oz References: Inside The Costumes Of Crazy Rich Asians.” Vogue, 2018. Web.
Tizard, Will. “‘Crazy Rich Asians’ DP Vanja Cernjul: Multiple Glamorous Locations, Large Ensemble Cast Demand Tight Teamwork.” Variety, 2018. Web.