Crazy Rich Asians, a film of the book by Kevin Kwan

I saw this movie when it was playing in theaters last year, having read the book when it was first published, and revisited it last night on HBO. I loved the production values – the sets, costumes, location settings, graphics in the opening credits and throughout the film, and the music. The story was a good one too, beautiful and accomplished Chinese-American woman from a modest background, a professor of game theory at NYU, and the scion of Singapore's wealthiest gentry family, working in New York, and complete with his own good looks, a suave British accent, and an abundance of charm, fall in love. Things are going along swimmingly until he decides to bring her to Singapore to join him at the society wedding of the year, where he will be Best Man, and to meet his ultra-snobby family. Until now, Rachel Chu has no idea who her boyfriend Nick Young is in his milieu, and it's a cultural shocker in every way.

Rachel was raised by her single mother, who fled China to escape an unhappy marriage and possible retribution for the illicit affair that made her pregnant. Rachel has been told an edited version of the true events, partly to protect her, and her mother has achieved her own success as the leading real estate broker in Flushing, Queens, the most aspirational of New York's three Chinatowns.

In contrast, the Youngs of Singapore live a lifestyle that surpasses almost anything the average person can imagine, in their private compound hidden from the public. Nick is expected to return to Singapore permanently and become head of the family business. The family may be fabulously wealthy and have all the latest accoutrements of that wealth, but they are traditional and expect family loyalty and obedience to the wishes of the elders. Male children, of course, are the most prized, especially the eldest son.

There is heartbreak, disappointment, embarrassment and a lot of revelation to consider in this tale. There is the conflict between traditional and modern thinking, old world and new world, male and female roles, self-reliance and surrender to the power of the family structure.

How does it all play out? That's for you, my reader, to find out. I am not going to spoil it, but I will say it's worth watching and considering its messages. And, I understand there are two sequel books and possibly another adaptation in the works. Congratulations to author Kevin Kwan!