Crazy Rich Asians: Songs, Values, Reflections

I decided to leave this week's post up for voting on my Instagram in view of 2 major events this week - the public release of the Report of The Committee For The Professional Training Of Lawyers, and myself watching Crazy Rich Asians. I thank the 54 people who voted, having ended overwhelmingly in favour of Crazy Rich Asians 37 votes to 17. However, having noticed a significantly different profile of those who wished me to write on the Committee Report, I will address my views on it next week.

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I had the honour of watching Crazy Rich Asians with a close friend (a crazy rich Asian) recently. My first impressions of the movie was that it indeed was a huge phenomenon (at least in Singapore) as the theatre was packed to the maximum despite the movie having been screening for at least a week. The movie was considered a huge stepping stone for Asians into Hollywood, having a majority Asian cast. The setting for a majority of the movie was also in Singapore, which may explain why many were eager to watch the show.

Before I write my reflections on the movie, it is only appropriate I give a small spoiler alert. If you have yet to watch the movie (but intend to do so), this post may give a few very subtle spoilers, but as the title suggests, I intend to write more on what we can learn from this movie, rather than what the movie actually was.

REFLECTIONS

The main plot of the movie was about the female lead's journey to get her boyfriend's (the male lead) mother's approval. The mother, who married into a "crazy rich asian" family, objected the relationship between her son and the female lead due to the latter's questionable family background (despite her being rather successful as a professor in the US).

While the struggle of getting one's parents to approve before marriage is still prevalent, we can extend the meaning behind the story to Asian values. Many of us (at least the Chinese) have been brought up practicing the Confucian values, which include working hard and respecting our elders. Practicing those values benefit most of us growing up, as we learn the importance of family and education early on. 

However, as we grow to young adults, we start to have thoughts that would clash with the traditional ideas of our parents. For example, what age is it appropriate to date? Should we get married early? What should we study for university? The western liberal wave has rode its way into Asia. While the liberal movement gives us more options to make wise decisions, it also drives a wedge between us and our elders. Should we follow the path our elders have set for us, or should we take a risk and venture out on our own? We face these challenges of choice even in our daily lives, be it the clothes we wear, the people we hang out with, and even where we go, and what time we come home.

To take example for my own applications to university. Although I can say that I am convinced that I chose the path that I wanted, it wasn't just myself deciding. I had to take into consideration the expectations of my parents, teachers, and society at large. To say I should follow only what my parents want would be foolish, but to say to pursue solely what I want (and forgetting what others say) would be no smarter.

The movie shows the female lead trying her best to prove herself as the right partner to the male lead. In spite of the difficulties around, be it against her boyfriend's ex-lovers, his mother, or her lack of cultural knowledge, she still overcomes challenge after challenge. She is stopped in the end, however, by her family background.

This also got me thinking, when we want something enough we do all we can to pursue it. This includes working hard (and smart) and spending our waking moments thinking on how to succeed in our mission. But what if sometimes we cannot achieve our goals because of matters beyond our control? Where do we go from there?

SONG OF THE MOVIE

The closing scenes of the movie, the Mahjong scene and then the Aeroplane scene did strike a chord in many people's chordae tendineae heartstrings. While I am not one to cry during dramas or movies (I only did once), I was tearing up at these last scenes. My friend, on the other hand, was already shedding tears by then, oh dear.

These scenes were covered in the background by the song Yellow by Coldplay. This song already has a special place in my heart, as it tided through me and my section throughout our confinement in Tekong, especially the dreaded field camp. What surprised me even more was when the song was sung, it was sung in Chinese, which made it a Chinese love song, a soft spot in my heart. The song in Chinese is 流星 (liu xing), which means Meteor, first written by 鄭鈞 (Zheng Jun). 

The Chinese version of the song gave a whole deeper meaning to the song, and fit in perfectly with the scene. Even the opening line of “我要知道流星能飞多久? 它的美丽是否值得去寻求?” can bring about some tears. In English, I want to know, how much do meteors fly? Is its beauty worth searching for?

Also, one should also read up on the director's undying quest to get Coldplay to agree for this song to be used in their movie. It will help one appreciate this song even more.

Hmm, maybe I should write a song recommendation on this some day?

Song in movie link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6NQZHyJYO8

Full song link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVkotbK1ZXY

Yellow by Coldplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKNxeF4KMsY

RECOMMENDATION

I would indeed recommend this movie to anyone who has a reason to watch, be it to learn something and reflect, appreciate this milestone movie, admire at the glitz and glamour of Crazy Rich Asians, or simply to rage at Newton Hawker Centre having the best satay.

However, I did find the early-middle parts (the pre-wedding gender-split parties) quite redundant, and the time could've been spent building up the hostility between the female lead and the mother more. Yet again, the acting and storybuilding during these scenes were superb though.

Overall, this movie is quite a must watch, even if it means watching from your laptop. 

What do you think of this movie? Comments are welcomed for a good discussion!