By Brent Cheung

Crazy Rich Asians made a surprise appearance in Chinese cinemas three months after it had been released in different countries. As the first American film with an all-Asian since the “Joy Luck Club” in 1989, Crazy Rich Asians made a splash in America but flopped in China, where Asian-American culture is foreign and an all-Asian cast is common. However, at SAS, a majority of us live in a lavished lifestyle similar to the one depicted in Crazy Rich Asians, so many students have already seen the movie in different countries.

James Li, a junior, was not surprised the film was released in China, stating that the film reflects the prosperity of the east and suggesting that the Chinese government would like to emphasize that. On the other hand, Chloe Hui, a freshman, was surprised that the film was released, stating that the three month wait time indicated an unwillingness from the government to release the film. Linden Li, a senior, said that he could not wait for its premiere and simply watched it by streaming it online.

For those who have watched the film, most viewers have rated the movie very highly. Chantel Wong, a freshman, said that she would give the film a 9 out of 10 because of its great depiction of family, wealth, background, romance, and identity. Linden Li said that he would give the movie an 8 out of 10 because of many qualities of the story itself. Many felt that this movie was especially important as a member of an Asian community. Personally, I believe that the movie integrates many important Asian-American figures into the film and emphasizes how Asians have infiltrated many sectors of American society. Linden Li agreed with this, saying that he believed that previous movies with Asians only showed a small part of Asian culture such as Kung Fu in Karate Kid.

Viewers also believed that this movie revealed a development for Asians in American culture.

Linden Li said, “Crazy Rich Asians is generating a huge box office with such great ratings. Especially with an all-Asian cast, I think this is one step to liberating future generations of Asians from the stereotypes that govern how we’re perceived: even in Western media, all-Asian casts can succeed in providing humor and romance.”

Joyce Tong, a mother of 3 at SAS agrees that this movie shows a development, claiming, “It brings awareness of how rich some Asians really are and it shows the Chinese culture for what it is especially in terms of filial piety and respect.”

(Disclaimer: Joyce Tong is the mother of the author)

Chloe Hui, a freshman, said, “For perhaps the first time, a Hollywood movie features an almost all Asian cast and I feel like from this movie on, Asian actors and actresses will have a higher representation in the western film industry. Of course, this will have an effect on the way Western people view Asians in general. While the effects are unpredictable, this film could possibly lead to a better understanding and acceptance of Asians and reconstruct the stereotypical mindset of all Asians being really smart and all we do is study and succeed in academic fields.”

Even students who do not have Asian heritage and have not watched the movie feel a deeper connection to this movie.

Graham Devereux, a senior, said, “Having lived in Singapore for many years, where it appears part of the movie takes place, I do feel that I can relate towards the culture a bit more than someone who hasn’t lived in an Asian community or country. It also intrigues me more because it possibly shows a deeper level to the dynamic of a traditional Asian family that I don’t get to witness firsthand.

Most people said they were planning to watch the film once it came out. James Li and Ryan Strong, senior, said that they were looking to see why this movie was hyped up so much. Some people, however, were indifferent to the film’s release. Jason Ma, sophomore, does not plan to see the movie because he is “indifferent to things like this.”

Devereux, on the other hand, said, “On a surface level, I want to see a bigger budget movie that is in English but is not set in a Western country. On top of this, it is set in a city I have lived in so I feel I can relate more to the visuals as well. Also am looking forward to seeing Asian characters in main roles as this is legitimately uncommon with popular Western films.”