Movie Review: 'Crazy Rich Asians' What Does Love Have to Go Through to Get to Marriage?

 

The movie I chose purely for fun was Crazy Rich Asians (2018).

Amid my hectic daily life, I was drawn to its promise of glamour and romance. But what I found was a story about growth in love and the hardships leading to marriage. Since I'm writing this from the perspective of someone who's not married yet, keep that in mind while reading!

The story begins with Rachel, a New Yorker, who agrees to accompany her boyfriend Nick to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. As a Chinese-American, Rachel is thrilled to visit Asia for the first time. However, her excitement takes a turn when Nick casually books them First Class tickets for the flight. Despite her protests about the extravagance, she reluctantly enjoys the luxury as they head to Singapore.

Once in Singapore, Rachel learns she will soon meet Nick's family—a nerve-wracking prospect. Before that, she reconnects with an old college friend who lives there. At her friend's mansion (which is jaw-droppingly extravagant), they share a meal with her friend’s family. When Rachel mentions Nick is her boyfriend, everyone is stunned.

Why? Because Nick turns out to be the heir to one of Singapore's wealthiest families and one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.

Rachel, with her friend's help, gets glammed up to meet Nick's family. But things quickly get tricky. She faces jealousy from Singapore's elite socialites and the cold disapproval of Nick's mother, who clearly doesn’t see Rachel as a suitable match for her son.

Despite these challenges, Rachel stays true to herself and navigates every obstacle with her bold New Yorker spirit.

As with most romance movies, the story concludes with the couple's love triumphing and leading to marriage. But what sets this film apart is the lessons it imparts along the way. (Warning: spoilers ahead—skip the next part if you'd like to watch it first!)

At one point, Rachel decides to step away from Nick because of his family's staunch opposition—opposition that eventually drags her own mother's past into the spotlight. Feeling unable to bear the pain this causes Nick, Rachel chooses to let him go.

In a pivotal scene, Rachel meets with Nick's mother. This moment is, in my opinion, the highlight of the film. It encapsulates what marriage requires, and it resonated deeply with me, regardless of gender.

Rachel tells Nick’s mother something along these lines (not an exact quote, but the sentiment holds):

"I’ll walk away.
If Nick chooses me, he’ll lose his family.
If he doesn’t, he’ll resent you for the rest of his life."

Nick was caught in a heartbreaking dilemma. Hearing this, his mother eventually grants her blessing for their relationship.

What struck me the most was Rachel’s willingness to say, “I’ll let go.” She didn’t try to force her way into Nick’s life or family. Instead, out of pure love, she decided to step aside so that Nick wouldn’t have to choose between her and his family.

True love often means wanting to hold on to someone and be with them. But Rachel’s resolve to sacrifice her happiness for Nick’s peace was profound. Letting go, for the sake of love, is no easy task.

Someone once said that sometimes you need to let go to truly gain something.

Watching Crazy Rich Asians again reminded me of this truth. It’s a movie that highlights an essential point about love and marriage: if you truly love someone, you might need to let them go. And letting go, when you love someone deeply, is one of the hardest things to do.

Ultimately, the movie makes a compelling case: love that considers the other person’s pain and sacrifices for them can lead to a deeper union—a love that evolves into marriage.

Crazy Rich Asians was more entertaining, more dazzling, and more thought-provoking than I expected. Definitely a must-watch!