Crazy Rich Asians is an opulent feast for the eyes
Author Kevin Kwan’s 2013 novel Crazy Rich Asians was a major hit and a perfect summer read because of Kwan’s ability to paint a picture of luxury. The book is filled with delirious references to the plush, extravagant lives of Asia’s upper crust, but there’s a major difference between reading about the gowns being worn, the food being served, and the luxe Singaporean condominiums and actually seeing those things come to life.
It appears that director Jon M. Chu understood that. Chu — who knows his way around glittering spectacle from his work on the Step Up movies and Now You See Me 2 — has created a cinematic jewel box, each compartment brimming with jaw-dropping opulence and brilliant luster. On its surface, Crazy Rich Asiansfunctions as a swooning lifestyle fantasy — a shimmering dispatch from sumptuous Asia to people who have never seen it for themselves.
At first glance, Crazy Rich Asians is luxury exhibitionism, and it’s thrilling to watch. But it’s made even more thrilling by the fact that there are thoughtful stories about parenthood, love, and fidelity lurking beneath that sheen.
