Crazy Rich Asians Movie Review

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Do you play to win or to not lose?  That is the question at the beginning and wraps up at the end of the film.  This film has been called many things : the Asian-American experience, the Asian ensemble piece, the new feminist movement, etc.  Whatever you call it, it is definitely a box office smash so why were Studio Heads so surprised?  Maybe because romantic comedies were dead.  Maybe because Asians typically are either victims or just do kung fu.  Too often the Studios want to hedge their bets and not lose.  This one they won big time.

If you live under a rock and have not seen this movie yet, see it.  Pay to see it even.  Here are my reasons:

• It's been a long time since a romantic comedy set-up and payoff has been this good, never mind being about Asians.  Great acting, writing, location, and directing really get at several themes like family values and self-acceptance in a nuanced way.  Not your typical Hollywood fluff where you watch it and forget about it 10 minutes later.
• Great for multi-generational viewing - mom, grandma, and daughters were watching this on the plane. Subtitles may be harder to read on the small screen so pause if necessary.
• THE wardrobe change scene: not since Pretty Woman has trying to find the right outfit been so fun. Well Wonder Woman comes close but that is not a rom-com.