Crazy Rich Asians Review: An absolutely "rich" experience in more ways than one

Nick (Henry Golding) introducing girlfriend Rachel (Constance Wu, right) to his mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh).

Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13)

Directed by Jon M. Chu

Starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Lisa Lu, Sonoya Mizuno, Chris Pang, Jimmy O. Yang, Nico Santos, Ken Jeong, Ronny Chieng, Jing Lusi, Kheng Hua Tan
Caution: Some spoilers ahead!

There is a celebratory feeling flowing throughout Crazy Rich Asians that stayed with me long after I left the theater. Sure the story has its emotional ups and downs, but it's told in such a vibrant and enjoyable fashion that I couldn't help but sit back with a smile on my face.

Constance Wu as Rachel

And in many ways the movie is about celebration. Nick Young (Golding) decides to invite college professor girlfriend Rachel Chu (Wu) to Singapore for his best friend Colin's wedding in which he will be the best man (Colin played by Pang and his fiance Araminta played by Mizuno). Nick is excited to introduce Rachel to his family especially his mother (Yeoh) and grandmother (Lu).

However, Nick hasn't been fully honest about his family's wealth and Rachel is unaware that this wedding is considered a huge social event in Singapore and also that Nick is considered Singapore's most eligible bachelor. He asks Rachel to come with him in a cafe in New York and within minutes all of Singapore, and most of the world, knows that Nick has a date for the much-anticipated wedding. His mother finds out before Nick and Rachel have even left the cafe thanks to some eavesdropping and quick social media blasting fans.

Rachel was raised by her single mother Kerry (Tan) in New York and does not come from money. This proves challenging when meeting Nick's mother Eleanor who feels her family carries a certain dignity and she isn't fond of the idea of that being muddied by the addition of a poor American. However, she does make a good impression on Nick's grandma who it seems would be the most important acceptance for Rachel to earn.

The raucous bachelor party via Bernard (Jimmy O. Yang in the open shirt).

The celebratory nature of the film really kicks in with a party at Nick's house that Rachel attends with her college friend Piek Lin (Awkwafina). That party is followed by the bachelorette party, featuring shopping sprees and spa treatments, and the bachelor party takes place on a party barge arranged by Bernard (Yang), the uncouth college friend of Colin and Nick. Rachel meets more adversity from fellow bachelorettes who leave a fish on her bed and write "gold digging bitch" in fish blood on her window. And a former girlfriend of Nick's stirs the pot as well. She then finds comfort in Nick's cousin Astrid (Chan) who is going through her own personal problems having just discovered her husband Michael is cheating on her. Meanwhile, Nick tells Colin he plans to propose to Rachel. Colin is supportive but is worried his proposal along with Eleanor's disapproval and the cultural differences between their families may cause some heavy discomfort or potential disasters. The most devastating moment comes very late in the movie with the most celebratory and victorious moments closing the movie out.

There is also a theme of proving one's self which is certainly relatable. Eleanor proves to be a hard nut to crack, but she herself admits to having to work hard to prove herself to her husband's family. And it seems in some ways she still is.

Awkwafina in a scene-stealing performance.

Some of the scenery is so elaborate that it's hard to believe people actually live like this in the world. The wedding itself is a site to behold with the bride walking through ankle-deep water. It's certainly enjoyable to watch how filthy rich people live even if you don't feel you'd spend your money quite the same ways they do.

The cast is phenomenal with Wu leading the way who plays Rachel as timid at first but then starts to show some gumption in the latter half of the movie. Golding finds a good balance between sophistication and casualness. Yeoh is a stone wall as Eleanor and doesn't waver at all until very late in the movie. Of the supporting cast, I enjoyed rapper Awkwafina the most who brings a lot of humor to the story, as does her family. I foresee her becoming a huge name in the coming years. Gemma Chan as Astrid is also memorable who stars in the film's only real subplot. It's a very controlled performance and Astrid is protrayed as being a lot like Nick in ways of carrying themselves in an honorable fashion while being good-natured and down-to-earth. I also enjoyed the work of Nico Santos who plays Nick's cousin Oliver who describes himself as the "rainbow sheep of the family." Oliver and Piek Lin team up to help Rachel get dressed for the climactic wedding with a goal of wowing everyone in attendance, especially Eleanor.

I know the word "rich" is in the title but it is ultimately fitting to the experience one has when watching this movie. It's a rare experience in a movie theater to be completely surrounded in absorbing culture and atmosphere and feel like you're along for the ride.

Araminta (Sonoya Mizuno) walking down the elaborate aisle to join her groom (Chris Pang).