Kevin Kwan and his "Crazy Rich Asians" series have come with me on two vacations this year. I read "Crazy Rich Asians" poolside at The Shore Club in Turks and Caicos and "China Rich Girlfriend" on Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro on Cape Cod. I was counting down to the movie premiere, hoping some of my favorite scenes would make the cut for the big screen.
I saw the movie with two friends and in the spirit of the film, we started the evening at Genki Ya in Cambridge. I had delicious miso soup, veggie dumplings and udon noodles. With full bellies, we headed across the street to the Apple Cinema.
*SPOILER ALERT! Do not read on if you do not want to know any specifics about the plot of the movie.*
Before the film began, I turned to the girls and said, "The only scene I feel absolutely must make it in is the bachelorette party on the tropical island. When I read the book, I was picturing it on screen and I have to see that come to fruition!"
For those who haven't read the books, the first novel introduces readers to Nick Young, the heir to a family fortune in Singapore, and his very humble girlfriend, Rachel Chu.
Nick asks Rachel to fly home to Singapore with him for his best friend's wedding, who happens to be one of the most famous bachelors in the country.
In the book, Rachel has no idea Nick's family is wealthy until they board their flight and are escorted to a private pod in first class. I couldn't wait to see how they would bring that moment to life on screen and it did not disappoint! When Rachel discovers the complimentary pajamas in their pod she shouts, "These are nicer than anything in my entire apartment!"
I was thrilled to see they kept in the scene where Nick, Rachel, Colin and Araminta (the groom and bride) explore a food hall. It reminded me of my recent dinner at 1-800-Lucky in Miami, where "Crazy Rich Asians" had a local premiere party.
Once settled in Singapore, Rachel meets up with her best friend from college, Peik Lin. In the book, Peik Lin had some of the most hysterical lines and that was even more true in the film. Actress Awkwafina plays Peik Lin, rocking a blond wig and absurd clothes.
I can't even pick a favorite scene of hers, because they all had me in stitches. The actors who played Peik Lin's parents and siblings were also a hoot.
As I had hoped, Araminta's bachelorette party got its moment in the sun, including the scene I had been waiting for - Rachel heading back to her villa after a massage to find a dead fish in her bed and a nasty message on the wall about her being a gold digger. She survives the shock with the help of Nick's cousin, Astrid, played by Gemma Chan. In the book, Astrid is a central character. She is Nick's best ally and her marriage to startup founder, Michael, gets a lot of air time. In the book she's portrayed as kind, brilliant and a Singapore fashion icon. I felt like they cut out a lot of her back story in the film. If you hadn't read the book, you might not understand how significant she is (and will become in part two).
Leading up to Colin and Araminta's wedding, Rachel must survive meeting Nick's entire family, including his mother, Eleanor, played by Michelle Yeoh. Eleanor does not approve of Rachel and wastes no time letting her know it.
I could not wait to see Colin and Araminta's wedding ceremony and reception. I had imagined it larger than life. On screen, Araminta walks down the aisle to the most moving rendition of "Fools Rush In." I'm going to lie, I teared up a little. The reception was spectacular and looked like a theme park. Exiting the movie, we were obsessed with guessing how much it cost to create that set.
*MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!*
My one disappointment with the movie was that they changed the ending. In the film, Nick's mother winds up giving her blessing (and her engagement ring) for Nick to use when he proposes to Rachel, which is not how it goes down in the book. It felt like they tried to wrap everything up with a pretty little bow, when the tension between Eleanor and Rachel actually makes the story much more interesting and real. I was pretty miffed by that inauthentic Hollywood ending.
And speaking of Hollywood, this article "The Stakes Are High for 'Crazy Rich Asians' — And That's the Point" details how Kevin Kwan turned down Netflix because he felt so strongly this movie be in theaters across the country.
If you read the books, I am so curious to hear - did you think Henry Golding and Constance Wu made a good Nick and Rachel?
*Images courtesy of Wear Your Voice Mag, Entertainment Weekly, BBC and PopSugar.
Comments
mairakhatri khatri
Sat, 01/02/2021 - 01:30
This is a good post. This post gives truly quality information. I’m definitely going to look into it. Really very useful tips are provided here. Thank you so much. Keep up the good works 먹튀검증사이트
kousar seo
Tue, 01/05/2021 - 13:09
Thanks for providing recent updates regarding the concern, I look forward to read more. kellogg fallout
mairakhatri khatri
Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:37
You have a good point here!I totally agree with what you have said!!Thanks for sharing your views...hope more people will read this article!!! https://jvm90.com
mairakhatri khatri
Thu, 01/07/2021 - 11:20
This is a great article thanks for sharing this informative information. I will visit your blog regularly for some latest post. I will visit your blog regularly for Some latest post. https://jvm90.com
kousar seo
Fri, 01/08/2021 - 15:35
You have outdone yourself this time. It is probably the best, most short step by step guide that I have ever seen. melee build fallout 4
ayan shah
Sat, 01/09/2021 - 09:21
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us. visit this site
kousar seo
Sat, 01/09/2021 - 10:32
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful! hold'em
saba 033
Mon, 01/11/2021 - 10:28
Regular visits listed here are the easiest method to appreciate your energy, which is why why I am going to the website everyday, searching for new, interesting info. Many, thank you! Smart watch
ayan shah
Mon, 01/11/2021 - 13:27
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Many thanks! frontier communications
kousar seo
Tue, 01/12/2021 - 03:49
very interesting keep posting. MyLowesLife Login
saba 033
Thu, 01/14/2021 - 01:07
This is an awesome motivating article.I am practically satisfied with your great work.You put truly extremely supportive data. Keep it up. Continue blogging. Hoping to perusing your next post 토토사이트
saba 033
Thu, 01/14/2021 - 01:14
A debt of gratitude is in order for giving late reports with respect to the worry, I anticipate read more. 토토사이트
saba 033
Sun, 01/17/2021 - 07:30
I’m happy I located this blog! From time to time, students want to cognitive the keys of productive literary essays composing. Your first-class knowledge about this good post can become a proper basis for such people. nice one Emergency plumber high Wycombe
saba 033
Sun, 01/17/2021 - 10:10
Wonderful article, their quite a neat web site that you've below, carry on the excellent operate, are going to be rear. Emergency plumber high Wycombe
saba 033
Tue, 01/19/2021 - 00:28
I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts. Restaurant Moves
saba 033
Tue, 01/19/2021 - 00:43
I am overwhelmed by your post with such a nice topic. Usually I visit your blogs and get updated through the information you include but today’s blog would be the most appreciable. Well done! Restaurant Moves
saba 033
Wed, 01/27/2021 - 07:26
Superbly written article, if only all bloggers offered the same content as you, the internet would be a far better place.. blog writing companies
saba 033
Wed, 01/27/2021 - 10:17
Fabulous article. That blog post impinges on a whole lot of immediate need conflicts of the contemporary culture. You cannot be uninvolved to help you a lot of these conflicts. It blog post grants ideas and even creative concepts. Highly insightful and even helpful. 먹튀검증커뮤니티
saba 033
Wed, 01/27/2021 - 10:29
Wonderful Content, Now i'm a massive believer for offer suggestions relating to internet websites to make sure you let the web page creators understandthat they’ve incorporated an issue good to make sure you just a couple of! 먹튀검증사이트
mairakhatri khatri
Thu, 01/28/2021 - 10:59
Glad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us. ขายเมล็ดกาแฟ
ayan shah
Thu, 01/28/2021 - 12:52
It is truly a well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so engaged in this material that I couldn’t wait reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thanks. sungalsseswinkel
saba 033
Sat, 01/30/2021 - 05:23
I am a new user of this site so here i saw multiple articles and posts posted by this site,I curious more interest in some of them hope you will give more information on this topics in your next articles. 인싸포커
saba 033
Sat, 01/30/2021 - 05:39
I am overwhelmed by your post with such a nice topic. Usually I visit your blogs and get updated through the information you include but today’s blog would be the most appreciable. Well done! 인싸포커
saba 033
Mon, 02/01/2021 - 11:57
There are many dissertation web sites on-line as you furthermore acquire simply said within your internet site. https://www.myb.co.id
saba 033
Tue, 02/02/2021 - 01:09
I will really appreciate the writer's choice for choosing this excellent article appropriate to my matter.Here is deep description about the article matter which helped me more. Autoankauf
saba 033
Tue, 02/02/2021 - 01:22
What a really awesome post this is. Truly, one of the best posts I've ever witnessed to see in my whole life. Wow, just keep it up. Autoankauf
saba 033
Fri, 02/05/2021 - 02:14
Great article Lot's of information to Read...Great Man Keep Posting and update to People..Thanks twitter contact support
saba 033
Sat, 02/06/2021 - 07:14
A number of dissertation websites on the internet online in the event you obtain clearly declared in the website. 텍사스홀덤
saba 033
Mon, 02/08/2021 - 09:59
I feel really happy to have seen your webpage and look forward to so many more entertaining times reading here. Thanks once more for all the details. 홀덤사이트
saba 033
Mon, 02/08/2021 - 10:12
I was taking a gander at some of your posts on this site and I consider this site is truly informational! Keep setting up.. 온라인홀덤
saba 033
Fri, 02/12/2021 - 01:08
A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing the information, keep doing awesome... I truly delighted in investigating your site. great asset... 먹튀검증사이트
saba 033
Fri, 02/12/2021 - 01:24
When your website or blog goes live for the first time, it is exciting. That is until you realize no one but you and your. 먹튀사이트
saba 033
Tue, 02/16/2021 - 00:33
You're permitted to publish titles, although not hyperlinks, unless of course they're authorized as well as upon subject. 인싸포커
saba 033
Thu, 02/18/2021 - 01:45
I recently came across your article and have been reading along. I want to express my admiration of your writing skill and ability to make readers read from the beginning to the end. I would like to read newer posts and to share my thoughts with you. 먹튀
saba 033
Thu, 02/18/2021 - 02:03
Very informative post ! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign ! 먹튀사이트
saba 033
Wed, 02/24/2021 - 05:50
I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative website. 먹튀검증사이트
saba 033
Fri, 02/26/2021 - 00:52
This is an awesome motivating article.I am practically satisfied with your great work.You put truly extremely supportive data. Keep it up. Continue blogging. Hoping to perusing your next post lowes employee benefits
saba 033
Fri, 02/26/2021 - 01:01
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! lowes kronos server
M imran saifi
Mon, 03/01/2021 - 10:39
Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking. read here
saba 033
Tue, 03/02/2021 - 01:22
Very informative post ! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign ! walmart1
seomoz master
Tue, 03/02/2021 - 08:46
Here are a few dissertation web sites when using the world-wide-web when you finally come to be clearly claimed in your blog site. Corte Suprema de Justicia
mahnoor faizan
Thu, 03/04/2021 - 07:04
Excellent to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Rightly, this article that I've been served for therefore long. I want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and it has the same topic together with your article. Thanks for the ton of valuable help, nice share. อ่าน มังงะแปลไทย
mahnoor faizan
Thu, 03/04/2021 - 07:04
Excellent to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Rightly, this article that I've been served for therefore long. I want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and it has the same topic together with your article. Thanks for the ton of valuable help, nice share. อ่าน มังงะแปลไทย
saba 033
Fri, 03/05/2021 - 00:50
I conceive you have noted some very interesting details , regards for the post. 먹튀사이트
seomoz master
Sat, 03/06/2021 - 06:29
WWW Office.com/setup. You will get a complete Office com setup guide. You just need to follow our complete guideline regarding office.com/setup.
jahanghir khatri
Sat, 03/06/2021 - 09:15
WWW Office.com/setup. You will get a complete Office com setup guide. You just need to follow our complete guideline regarding office.com/setup.
M imran saifi
Mon, 03/08/2021 - 12:21
I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me.I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it.. ประกันรถยนต์ที่ไหนดี pantip
mahnoor faizan
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 07:06
Everything has its value. Thanks for sharing this informative information with us. GOOD works! ทิพยประกันภัย pantip
seomoz master
Tue, 03/09/2021 - 13:05
Here are a few dissertation web sites when using the world-wide-web when you finally come to be clearly claimed in your blog site. google top perfoming seo adveritsing agencies
M imran saifi
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 10:49
I am incapable of reading articles online very often, but I’m happy I did today. It is very well written, and your points are well-expressed. I request you warmly, please, don’t ever stop writing. TheHiddenPages.com