#peter chiarelli

[addictivecontradiction]

Crazy rich Asians, 2018

[adamwatchesmovies]

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

While it would be nice for every story to be wholly new and completely unpredictable, there’s something satisfying about a film that uses genre tropes this well. Crazy Rich Asians is the best romantic comedy we’ve seen in a long time. It’s glamorous, romantic, gorgeous, hilarious, smart and expertly directed.

Economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is travelling to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding) for his best friend Colin’s wedding. There, she learns that Nick's family is among the richest in the country. Dismissed by many because they don’t believe she will fit in, Rachel becomes determined to prove them wrong.

I watched Crazy Rich Asians on a double-bill with Monster-in-Law because of the two pictures’ similarities. Basically, they share a plot but the execution makes them so different it’s like they have nothing in common. You can probably guess the story’s beats but there’s a twist to them that makes Crazy Rich Asians so much more. When you see Nick and Rachel together, they’re perfect. She’s got a good head on her shoulders. He’s wealthy but isn't insensitive to the problems of the common person and doesn't flaunt his riches. The performers have excellent chemistry. They’re both beautiful people. The camera doesn’t shy away from showing you Henry Golding without a shirt on and Constance Wu appears in several glamorous outfits that make her look like a princess. You like them as individuals. You like them even better as a couple. There’s no reason for Nick's mother, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) to disapprove of them but she does. In her eyes, Rachel's upbringing means she will never fit in.

It’s not that Rachel grew up “poor” and that Nick didn’t. This film is deeper than that. Eleanor doesn’t approve because of the way Rachel was raised. Her parents were Chinese but she grew up in America. In Eleanor's eyes, Rachel could never understand the values the Young family hold so dearly. The opening scene shows Eleanor being discrimated against for being a foreigner. It generates sympathy for her. Seeing her judge Rachel later shows how much of a hypocrite she is.

You could dig deep into the film’s themes of old money vs. new money, of tradition and need to move away from them as well, the significance of the relationship between Astrid (Gemma Chan) and her husband, Michael (Pierre Png), or what it means to see a major theatrical release with an all-Asian cast, but ultimately, all of these are gravy. What you came for are some laughs and scenes of tenderness that will make your date want to hold your hand. That's what you get. The wedding Nick and Rachel attend is so beautiful and so glamorous. It radiates love so brightly it’ll bring tears to your eyes. It’s as romantic as attending a real-life wedding between two people you know are perfect for each other. You love seeing Nick and Rachel together. Seeing them having a great time with every luxury money can buy at their fingertips is rewarding.

There's so much going on with the cinematography, sets and costume designs you could watch the movie on mute and have a great time but then you’d be missing out on the comedy. Awkwafina (an actress who continues to impress with each film) delivers one big laugh after another. So does Ken Jeong - the funniest he’s been in years. Many of the side characters are quirky and memorable for their comedic values. The “serious” characterization is left to the main cast, with Eleanor coming off as particularly multi-faceted. She can afford to be. As in any fantasy, the leads have to be “perfect” to reinforce that anyone who doesn’t cheer for them is a villain.

Crazy Rich Asians is so enormously pleasing only those with a bone to pick against romantic comedies could dislike it. That said, I would agree with criticisms directed towards the conclusion. It’s a bit too long and does indulge a bit in some rom-com clichés. I'm mentioning this to show I'm not biased. The visuals, humor, drama and romance make Crazy Rich Asians a film you’ll be glad to return to over and over. It’s a terrific pick for date night. (August 7, 2020)

[bossupsettledown]

The Proposal (2009)

"If you touch my ass one more time I will cut your balls off in your sleep, okay?"

[genevieveetguy]

- What am I allergic to? - Pine nuts, and the full spectrum of human emotion.

The Proposal, Anne Fletcher (2009)

[crazyrichxplainr]

'Crazy Rich Asians' Co-Writer Exits Sequel Amid Pay Disparity Dispute (Exclusive)

Adele Lim has left the project as Warner Bros. plans to shoot two films back-to-back to accommodate its in-demand stars.

I am so proud of Adele Lim for knowing her worth and walking away!

[jerichopalms]

*Crazy Rich Asians (2018, dir. by Jon M. Chu)

[the-citrus-scale]

Power, Privilege, and Pay Disparity

written by @the-galaxy-collector

As with every other article I’ve written for The Citrus Scale, I have no idea where to start. Most of the time it’s with a note, a prologue of sorts, or even an apology because I know my opinion is in the minority.

But last night I went to see the movie Hustlers and, now, I don’t care. I don’t care if someone’s feelings get hurt. I don’t care if you disagree. I don’t care if you take any of what I’m about to say the wrong way. As long as you’re respectful, we’ll get along just fine because that’s the wrong we’re trying to right here.

Because fandom is toxic. Fandom is glorious. Fandom is uplifting. And fandom is horribly entitled. Fandom is everything, but it’s tearing itself apart from the inside out and we need to stop because we’ve got more important things to discuss. So let’s just dive into the deep end, because we’ve waited long enough. We’ve attacked each other long enough. We’ve been ignored long enough.

Now, if you haven’t heard the story that inspired this article, let me give you a quick rundown. Adele Lim, an Asian woman, co-wrote the screenplay for Crazy Rich Asians with Peter Chiarelli, a white man. For the sequel, Peter was offered somewhere between $800,000 to $1 million. Adele Lim was offered $110,000. And before we go any further, if you don’t think that’s disgusting, this article isn’t for you.

Of course, Warner Brothers said this is industry-standard and that “making an exception would set a troubling precedent.” Which makes me nauseous. What they said, in essence, is that if women understood their worth, they’d demand so much more, and the men in charge are used to a certain way of life. A life they do not want changed for any reason. And why would they? They hold all the cards, all the money, and all the power.

Or… they think they do.

The problem with making Hustlers is that I was reminded the real problem is that they want us to think we hold no power. They want us fighting amongst ourselves. They want us disagreeing and being disrespectful to one another. Because then we can’t mobilize. We can’t force any real change.

And what would be the big deal if we kept doing it the way we’re doing it? Well, that’s easy. We’ll continue to be seen and not heard. Every character you see will be some variation of a Mary Sue, the Madonna, or the whore. Is that really what you want? Do you really enjoy being seen as entertainment only there for consumption? Because I’m kind of sick of it. I’m tired of being scared. I’m tired of being quiet. I’m tired of being tired. And I hope you are too. Because Hustlers taught me way more than I’m sure any of the men in charge intended.

[galchenyum]

you know it’s bad when you have to ask permission