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So I finally watched Crazy Rich Asians and I actually really enjoyed it + recommend everyone else go watch it too. I think the heart of the movie is really Michelle Yeoh’s portrayal of Eleanor Young, which is unlike anything you typically see in a Hollywood film https://t.co/4WRD5dm85o
I felt a surge of pride and vicarious happiness for all the Singaporean actors in the show - people I’ve seen on the little screen for decades, finally getting a big break on an international stage. Was really cool to see Kina Grannis too
It *was* frustrating and upsetting that there was a scene literally devoted to “OMG scary Indian guards”. That was so unnecessary. And of course the only other scene with dudes that look like me has them opening car doors. I’d rather not be represented at all than like this
I also thought Awkwafina and Ken Jeong didn’t really fit, as characters. But it doesn’t break the show. I suppose it’s like how Narcos must be jarring to Colombians for the incorrect accents, etc. But these are somewhat forgivable I think. Funnily I thought Jimmy Yang was spot on
CRA raises some interesting questions about diaspora, immigrants, tradition vs modernity. In a way Nick Young is almost a MacGuffin - meant entirely to facilitate Rachel’s experience of the clash of civilizations. Which she handles masterfully, and I love her for that
CRA also has a wealth of women’s perspective, which is pretty rare. Young Sr = MIA. Nick’s privileged ignorance fails to prepare Rachel for the conflicts. Astrid has to clean up after the mess of Michael’s insecurities. Rachel’s mum had it rough, as did Eleanor
I smiled seeing Rachel sitting by the waterfront when she was feeling down. This is exactly what I do, too. This part of the city calls to you in this way, I feel https://t.co/E67Ql2vpwp
The nuance in Eleanor telling Rachel “you will never be good enough” in a way that’s simultaneously a general statement about life for asian women (motherly advice, in a way) AND a plausibly deniable dismissal - that was *so* skillfully executed
And you see that Eleanor isn’t being a jerk because she enjoys it, but because she has values and standards, and is subject to those forces too (when Ah Ma tells her that her dumplings aren’t good, and that she’s responsible for Nick)- I’m so glad all of this nuance was reflected
It’s a shame then that such incredible nuance is reserved for a Chinese matriarch but literally none whatsoever for the brown folks meant to open doors and scare girls https://t.co/Spn6KArKQp
But anyway it’s a good film, refreshingly different, and y’all should go see it. It’s a good time. (Just don’t come away from it expecting people like me to open your car doors and/or scare your women, please and thank you!) https://t.co/Etr74sG0Uw
And if you’re still here, here’s a thread that’s mostly about my city, with some scenes you’ll recognise and some you won’t https://t.co/yXlvyAMfPH
And some history and context because why not https://t.co/TVHQoji2ER
So tomorrow is the 53rd anniversary of Singapore's independence from Malaysia, and since most of my followers are American, it feels like an appropriate time to maybe do an oral history thread about my city? Let me (badly) sing you the story of my people https://t.co/bXiEqVgao4
thinking about crazy rich asians again – it was mostly a straightforward feel-good love story, but these two lines in particular were knockout punches https://t.co/xQjA2URtlq
