Cinematic masterpieces have hit the big screen this past year such as the empowering Black Panther along with three other Marvel box office hits, and the long anticipated Incredibles 2. The newest movie to demolish Hollywood stereotypes has been the literal blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians that starred a predominantly Asian cast, the first Hollywood movie to do so since 1993. The shining star Constance Wu has already been making waves on TV by portraying the mother on Fresh off the Boat, an ABC sitcom following a Taiwanese-American family living in 1990’s Orlando americana. Now in Crazy Rich Asians, Wu portrays Rachel Chu, a young Asian-American economics professor at New York University who falls in love with Nick Young, a fellow professor that happens to be the heir of Singapore's most influential and successful family. Chu is invited by her boyfriend back to his hometown for his best friend's wedding, which in turn is also Singapore's event of the year.
CRA brings to the screen a side of Asian culture we don’t often see portrayed in Hollywood movies, success. It has become almost common for Asians to be used in roles of comic relief, crazy ninjas, or socially incompetent high school teens that are the victim of the main antagonist. Instead we delve deep into the extensiveness of Asian family fortunes and these exuberant personalities and backgrounds. Not only does it show the glory of Singapore and pride of being Asian descent but also the struggle of being a first generation Asian-American and balancing both cultures. Stereotypes surrounding the general continent of Asia are also lifted, it is not just factories and rice farms, instead there is thriving nightlife, suburban neighborhoods, and extravagant mansions.
CRA also acknowledges and uses stereotypes to further strengthen the empowerment behind the film. During the climactic ending, Katherine Ho’s Mandarin rendition of “Yellow” by Coldplay becomes the songs anthem. At first there’s some differentiation between the songs so it takes a few verses for those that aren’t mandarin fluent to make the connection. The realization throughout the audience was almost synchronized and the theater was filled with giggles and hushed whispers. “Yellow” has long been a derogatory term for those of any Asian descent, Warner Bros. and Coldplay were both against the use of the song at first, fearing that audiences will perceive it as being racist. Director Jon Chu also knew the backlash that using “Yellow” could unfurl but insisted that if the use of the slur still persists it might as well be in a song that uses the color as the definition of love and beauty.
The movies main focus was also a refreshing break from a standard rom-com. The relationship between the two main characters was already established within the first few moments of the film and the main focus was on navigating the complexity and depth of Asian culture.
On top of it all CRA also brings two successful single moms to the screen, both Young and Chu have single moms that built themselves up from nothing and strive for the best for their children. A constant remind throughout the film is the bond of mother and child and how that relationship is just as important as a romantic relationship.
Whether of Asian descent or not everyone can find something to relate to in this film. Breaking down Asian Hollywood stereotypes and empowering everyone from single moms to multicultural families, this film will become a turning point for Hollywood standards.
Image courtesy of Hype Beast.