Crazy Rich Asians: Worth The Investment!

The romantic comedy (aka rom-com) isn't the box office sure-thing it used to be.  The last one to make any real money was "Trainwreck" (2015).  This is the first film with essentially an all-Asian cast since "The Joy Luck Club" (1993), and the producers were taking a big risk that Asians and other ethnic groups would turn out for it.  (It appears that they made the right call, since it grossed about 35 million this weekend and was the #1 box office attraction.)  Although Asians may appreciate this film more than I did, there is still much to like about "Crazy Rich Asians" for other ethnic groups.  It's a funny film with a very attractive cast, exotic locations, and a good (although formulaic and predictable) plot.  Robin (co-contributor and wife) said, while we were exiting the theater, that it was "thoroughly enjoyable" and she's right-on! Rachel (Contance Wu) is a pretty, intelligent, down-to-earth, Chinese-American, bi-lingual, college Economics professor.  She and her businessman boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) have been dating seriously for about a year.  Nick is from Singapore and his best friend is getting married there soon.  Nick asks Rachel to fly to Singapore with him to be his 'plus one' at the wedding and meet his family, too.  Nick seems like a regular guy, but Rachel soon learns from her best friend who lives in Singapore, Goh Peik (Awkwafina), that Nick is a billionaire whose family owns most of the expensive real estate there! Nick introduces Rachel to his mother, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), but Eleanor isn't pleased with Nick's choice.  Eleanor is upset because Rachel is Chinese-American, not Chinese.  ("Like a banana, yellow on the outside, but white on the inside.")  Furthermore, Rachel was raised by a single mom who barely scraped by and is at the opposite end of the universe from the upper-class. How Nick and Rachel respond and adapt to Eleanor's disapproval is the major thrust of the film.  There's plenty of humor, although there are also some scenes with considerable depth.  I especially liked the scene with a Mahjong game between Rachel and Eleanor, near the end of the film.  Most of the comic relief is provided by Awkwafina, (who is also a stand-up comedian in real life).  Some of her scenes are Laugh-Out-Loud funny! If you are in the mood for a fun romantic comedy, don't miss this one!  I'd see it around 5:00 and then go out for Chinese. (I'd guess you'll have a craving for it!)