‘Crazy Rich’ draws mixed reaction in Asia
Groundbreaking rom-com met with hoopla, criticism
SINGAPORE — The
“Crazy Rich Asians” craze is hitting Asia, with a premiere in Singapore followed by openings in several neighboring countries later this week.
Much of the over-the-top romantic comedy was set in this wealthy city-state. As the stars streamed past flashing lights on the red carpet Tuesday, local fans and tourists swarmed them, taking photos and asking for selfies.
The movie is expected to draw enthusiastic crowds across Asia after its box office bonanza in the U.S.
Directed by John M. Chu, the film was adapted from Singapore author Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel of the same name. It follows Chinese-american Rachel Chu as she travels with her boyfriend Nick Young to Singapore to meet his family and discovers they are ultrawealthy.
The movie is drawing a mixed reaction. Admirers of the film say that as Hollywood’s first majority Asian-cast film in more than two decades it upends the movie industry’s usual stereotypes of Asian characters. But critics say it misses a chance to showcase Singapore’s ethnic diversity.
The $30 million Warner Bros. film has grossed more than $35 million since its Aug. 15 world debut in Los Angeles and topped the U.S. box office in its theatrical release this past weekend.
“This (movie) is something very personal to people, and it feels like a bigger movement than just the movie itself,” John M. Chu said.
The film has been knocked for its inaccurate portrayal of Singapore’s ethnic diversity, with some calling it a misrepresentation of the country’s minority races. Even though a majority of its residents are Chinese, a quarter of its population is Malay, Indian or Eurasian, with many migrant workers from surrounding countries such as Bangladesh or the Philippines.
“There’s this whole notion of the movie being a triumph for representation, which is very problematic. The only Indians and Malays you see are servants,” said Nicholas Yong, a Singapore journalist and author who saw the movie before its Singapore premiere.
Even though its glamorous depiction of Singapore could boost tourism, it was not entirely welcomed.
“To us, ‘Crazy Rich’ should not just be about the opulence and luxury showcased in the film, but Singapore’s actual richness in terms of our diversity,” Singapore Tourism Board spokesperson Lynette Pang said.
As is true anywhere, in Singapore, the super-rich with their extravagant lifestyles are a tiny, privileged minority.
Writing in the South
China Morning Post of
Hong Kong, which has more than its share of tycoons and elite wealthy families, commentator Alex Lo said he enjoyed the film with “guilty pleasure.”
“But amusement aside, it strikes me the whole purpose of the film exercise is to glamorize and legitimize the super-rich in Asia, many of whom are ethnic Chinese in real life,” he said.
“Should we, as the audience and hoi polloi, be tantalized and awed by the display of mega wealth, which has been described, by most accounts, as accurate. Or should we rather be repelled?”
Many in Asia looked forward to seeing some familiar faces.
In Manila, an audience of mostly movie writers, critics and bloggers and some celebrity guests was thrilled and applauded when two Filipinos in the film, Kris Aquino and Nico Santos, appeared in their roles during an advance screening Monday, according to Ruth Navarra-mayo, an editor of the Lifestyle section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Santos plays a fashion designer. Aquino, a popular actress and daughter of late pro-democracy champions in the Philippines, portrayed a member of Malay royalty.
A former American colony, the Philippines has a highly Westernized culture and Hollywood movies are a local entertainment staple. Audiences would welcome more films with Asian themes and characters, Navarro-mayo said.
“We want to see Asian actors on Asian topics,” she said. “We’re hungry and ready for this type of film.”