Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Jennie L. Illustre
“Crazy Rich Asians” has struck pure gold at the box-office, locally and internationally. Critics also loved it, making it the rare movie that is both a commercial and a critical success. With the film’s huge success, can a sequel be far behind? “China Rich Girlfriend,” the second book in the best-selling trilogy, is already in development for Warner Bros.
The Hollywood romance comedy is based on the bestseller by Asian author Kevin Kwan. It stars an all-Asian cast led by Constance Wu of the TV hit “Fresh Off the Boat” and newcomer Henry Golding. Wu plays Rachel, a college professor who accepts boyfriend Nick’s (Henry) invitation to go to Singapore and attend his friend’s wedding. Surprise, surprise! She learns that Nick and his family are super rich. Naturally, his mom (Michelle Yeoh) does not want her to be a part of the family. Established actresses Yeoh and Lisa Lu add to the film’s winning ways, deftly directed by Asian director John M. Chu and splendidly crafted by screenwriters Adele Lim and Peter Chiarelli.
Expected to earn $18 million on opening weekend in the US, it made $25.2 million instead, and landed No. 1 at the box-office.The mainstream media reported the film cost $30 million to produce. It earned $45M worldwide in 5 Days.
Critics loved it, too. The first major studio film to feature an all-Asian cast since “The Joy Luck Club” in 1993, the film “lived up to the early hype,” according to Digital Trends’ Rick Marshall. Marshall noted its golden weekend also registered 92-percent positive reviews from critics and an “A” grade from audiences. Rotten Tomatoes awarded it a Rave Rating of 93 (‘Fresh’) out of 100.
What does the movie’s success mean? Here’s the Big Picture why “Crazy Rich Asians” is a game-changer.
- The success of “Crazy Rich Asians,” which exceeded expectations at the box-office, further ushers in a new era of representation in the movies this summer, according to media reports.
“Hollywood finally got the message about representation,” according to a CNN report. The entertainment news item noted that movies showcasing diverse casts or depicting race relations did well at the box-office this summer. It added that “Ocean’s 8” with its all-female cast, was No. 1 when it opened in June and has since earned $138 million domestically.
“Hopefully, breaking down stereotypes about what an audience will watch will continue. Maybe that’s part of the (Broadway hit) “Hamilton” phenomenon,” Laura Crouch of Arlington, Virginia emailed on August 18.
“I hope things are changing for the better. The first African-American actress was cast as lead in the musical “Waitress” on Broadway. (Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling cast a black actress to play Hermione in the London stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, yet the public ate it up. I think the public is much more receptive to diversity and casting than studios have been willing to bankroll.”
- The success of “Crazy Rich Asians” broke down stereotypes and opens doors for more Asian and Asian American stories and talents. The film put a spotlight on the incredible talent of Asian Americans in front of the camera, as well as behind it.
The huge success of “Crazy Rich Asians” opens doors for more Asian and Asian American-themed TV shows and movies featuring Asian and Asian American stars, as well as scriptwriters and directors.
Already, a sequel to “Crazy Rich Asians” is underway. Director John Chu was right when he said in interviews during the movie’s gold opening weekend, “This is just the beginning.” An AP August 20 story reported he tweeted his appreciation and saying, “We have arrived.”
In an email interview, Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President for Multicultural Markets, Asian Pacific Americans and Pacific Islander Audience, pointed out: “Having read the trilogy, I couldn’t wait to watch the movie which was so much fun and heartwarming! To see an all-AAPI cast with legendary stars like Lisa Lu and Michelle Yeoh alongside our newest talent was empowering. To see AAPI men in leading love interest roles shattered the usual AAPI male film stereotype. I left the theater telling everyone I see how much fun the film was. Everyone I have met who has seen the film raves about it – not only AAPIs!!! Congrats to Kevin Kwan and the team!!”
She added: “This movie is so significant as it showcased roles for Asians and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in front of and behind the camera. Now the talent agencies and the industry have so many more talents to promote as these stars, directors and scriptwriters have a proven successful movie in their resume! Nobody can use the excuse now that there are no AAPI leading men, AAPI directors, etc.”
Crouch of Arlington, Virginia who works in cyber security for an IT company, said, “And it was lovely to see (Asian American comedienne) Awkwafina in a larger role in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ as compared to the entertaining, but minor role she had in “Ocean’s 8” earlier this summer.”
She added: “It’s past time for the entertainment industry (TV, movies, Broadway) to better reflect the diversity that I see in my everyday world and workplace. Hopefully the success from this movie will translate into ticket sales, and that, along with public pressure, will push Hollywood studios to dig deeper and broader for talent. It’s out there and it just needs to be given opportunities.”
- The movie’s success further elevates Asian American empowerment through culture.
Director Chu and his team succeeded in bringing onscreen an excellently made, highly-entertaining film which is what people badly need at this time: a feel-good movie. Fandango correspondent Nikki Novak told CNN, “When people are fatigued by the news, by negativity, a divided country and sensationalism, a simple true story of one person overcoming huge obstacles to do good becomes almost soothing for adults to watch in the theater.”
For decades, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have been making a difference in society in the fields of politics, healthcare, education, sports and the arts, among other things. Its annual Consumer or Buying Power in the nation is in the billions. (At least a couple of top Asian CEOs bought theater screenings of “Crazy Rich Asians” as part of an informal gold opening campaign.) Its Voter Power has spelled victory or defeat for candidates in swing states during general elections.
“Crazy Rich Asians” is now part of showbiz history, a source of pride for the Asian American community. Consider: Justin Lin, who started as a young director in “Better Luck Tomorrow,” went on to make it big in Hollywood, directing the blockbuster hit “Fast and Furious” sequels. Filipino American wrestling champion David Battista has joined action superstars onscreen. His latest movie is “Avengers: Infinity Wars.” And although the Millennial generation has never heard of her, credit the trailblazing Nancy Kwan, who starred in the smash hit “The World of Suzie Wong” in the 1960s.
“Crazy Rich” has also become part of the mainstream expression. A CNN entertainment story was titled “Crazy rich summer: How the 2018 summer box office bounced back.” (The movie is not titled “Crazy, Rich Asians.” The film is called “Crazy Rich Asians,” meaning Asians who are uber wealthy.)
- The success of “Crazy Rich Asians” will serve as an inspiration for Asians and Asian Americans, and indeed for anyone who dreams of making it big against all odds.
The mainstream media reported that the creators of “Crazy Rich Asians” turned down a lucrative Netflix offer to distribute the film, opting for a theatrical release because they wanted maximum exposure for their film. They believed in their dream, and fought for it – and they triumphed beyond everyone’s expectations.
Remarked AARP Vice President Kwok for Multicultural Markets, Asian Pacific Americans and Pacific Islander Audience “As an AAPI, I am proud of author Kevin Kwan for foregoing the lucrative Netflix offer and going with the Warner Bros. in order to advance AAPIs in Hollywood in the major studios. For this reason alone, the AAPI community needs to continue to turn out to support Kevin Kwan’s courageous decision.”
- The success of “Crazy Rich Asians” will revive Hollywood’s interest in producing romcom (romance comedy) movies, according to media reports. That’s a welcome change from all the superhero films and other sequels that have dominated the box-office all these years – and isn’t that wonderful?
AARP Vice President Kwok for Multicultural Markets, Asian Pacific Americans and Pacific Islander Audience said that AARP held preview screenings in 30 cities nationwide under AARP’s Movies for Grownups program. “Everyone loved the movie!” she exclaimed. “An African American friend thoroughly enjoyed the film because of the universal theme.”
Christine Chen, APIAVote Executive Director, noted that the film is a mainstream movie with an uplifting universal theme (love triumphs against all odds). She said, “My whole team was talking about this movie and everyone agreed that we couldn’t wait to see it: age 20s through 60s and many different ethnic backgrounds. Hollywood should understand that a great movie appeals to everyone.”
