Crazy Rich Asians - from the producer of The Hunger Games

[terry78]

That's the kind of thing they gripe about with black females in leading roles from various book adaptations where they're described as darker and end up being played by obviously biracial chicks.

 

[Da-Scribe]

I think that if blacks had a similar lack of representation in leading roles that we see within the Asian community, that we probably wouldn't complain too much if one of the principal roles in BP was filled by someone with a lighter complexion. I mean when Halle Berry was cast as Storm black folks were more concerned with her acting ability than with her pigment haha.

Not that I'm trying to diminish your point here. I just mean that there aren't even lead roles for half Asian males and here's a guy that a) identifies as Asian and b) still looks like an Asian guy to uncultured swine like myself. So I'd guess the filmmakers still felt his casting fit within their narrative given all that.

 

[Dr.]

I know Henry Golding identifies as Asian, but if you consider that a really central part of casting was getting the actor with the right look, "so beautiful that he could walk between raindrops," and they end up with a guy who's clearly half white, what does that say?

In my old age, I’ve grown pop culturally illiterate. So before the ads for this movie began to show, I had never heard of Golding. But through my (Caucasian) eyes, he appeared to be as Asian as everyone else in the trailer. (Indeed, I was initially confused as to what role “Henry Golding” was playing in an otherwise all-Asian cast.) I’ve since learned, however, that Golding’s mixed ethnic heritage is more obvious to other Asians. And if they (or some of them at least) see his casting as problematic, it’s not for me to say they’re wrong.

BTW… notwithstanding this movie’s “racial” significance, it looks like a fairly lightweight rom-com. I.e., it’s probably not that far removed from the “consumer porn” that you mentioned. And given this genre, perhaps scoring an 8 or 9 on the political correctness scale (as opposed to a perfect 10) is progress of a sort…?

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I get some of concern, since as PR noted they are billing this in terms of empowerment and social consciousness as much as they are but in my view there's a bit of "perfection is the enemy of the good" if one is too bothered by the lead male's biracial status. Like with Obama... Didn't really matter to a lot of white Americans that he had a white mother. And for homself the President knew from an early age how he appeared to most others and himself. So to with this guy I suspect. And let's be honest... He wouldn't be the "lead male" in any other kind of Hollywood production, biracial or not because he's Asian. He's jumping through the same hoops and having the same issues in his career a lot of Asian male actors deal with because he's Asian.

I know it undercuts a little the message this film's existence is pushing from its creators but I think given all the other Asian talent being given the spotlight in the movie and the possibility of it moving the needle in terms of representation that it might be given a mulligan on him "not being Asian enough".

 

[Pink Ranger]

In my old age, I’ve grown pop culturally illiterate. So before the ads for this movie began to show, I had never heard of Golding. But through my (Caucasian) eyes, he appeared to be as Asian as everyone else in the trailer. (Indeed, I was initially confused as to what role “Henry Golding” was playing in an otherwise all-Asian cast.) I’ve since learned, however, that Golding’s mixed ethnic heritage is more obvious to other Asians. And if they (or some of them at least) see his casting as problematic, it’s not for me to say they’re wrong.

I feel that it's kind of a dog-whistle political statement to the main target audience (women, particularly bougie Asian-American centrist/liberal feminists). We're going to show you a validating movie that can make you proud of your racialized heritage, but we won't subject you to the horror of seeing a gross pie-faced fully Asian guy in a romantic leading role, because we all know they're at the bottom of the heterosexual dating barrel.

I know it undercuts a little the message this film's existence is pushing from its creators but I think given all the other Asian talent being given the spotlight in the movie and the possibility of it moving the needle in terms of representation that it might be given a mulligan on him "not being Asian enough".

And if this was just an Asian Sex and the City, I wouldn't really care. But the racialized SJWs (I know it's ironic that I'm using alt-right language a lot here) are hitting the civil rights message of this movie so hard, I feel they need to be called out on it when it's BS. It's like the people who think Miss Saigon is an empowering show.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I feel that it's kind of a dog-whistle political statement to the main target audience (women, particularly bougie Asian-American centrist/liberal feminists). We're going to show you a validating movie that can make you proud of your racialized heritage, but we won't subject you to the horror of seeing a gross pie-faced fully Asian guy in a romantic leading role, because we all know they're at the bottom of the heterosexual dating barrel.



And if this was just an Asian Sex and the City, I wouldn't really care. But the racialized SJWs (I know it's ironic that I'm using alt-right language a lot here) are hitting the civil rights message of this movie so hard, I feel they need to be called out on it when it's BS. It's like the people who think Miss Saigon is an empowering show.

I can't pretend to know the Asian male experience PR. The particulars of the issues in an out of Asian North American culture are not in my wheele house.

I just... I have two Puert Rican parents. One born on the island (whose grandfather came from the Philippines true) and yet because of who I am (not "street enough" , don't speak Spanish, passionate about all the things fanboys are into) I have always been considered insufficiently "Hispanic" by my "people" so to speak. My friend Ed who is Chinese and I commiserate over our status as "Coconuts and Bananas". You know... "white" inside but another color outside. That's not something from racist Caucasian folk. That's something from inside our own groups. So I amalways sympathetic to people that have to deal with that dynamic since they are getting it from both sides, ya'know?

BTW I am not totally dismissing your critique here either, same as I wouldn't someone who is of African descent that looks at the skin tone issue and sees what type of actors have traditionally gotten the "lead" parts outside of a handful of super stars. It's not an easy answer scenario and you have every right to point this issue you have out given the way the creators are billing this film. I just think that there is another view that I think it's also counterproductive and exclusionary when we minorities start putting litmus tests on our own when so many that we do that to are part of the group they identify as and deal with all the same headwinds in the culture that those who call them out for some "insufficient X-ness" do as well.

I hope this doesn't come off as tin eared or scolding PR. But as I stated I have a personal sensitivity to these issues, that while I understand others' frustration that there is another side to it.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I hope this doesn't come off as tin eared or scolding PR. But as I stated I have a personal sensitivity to these issues, that while I understand others' frustration that there is another side to it.

I get it, and trust me, I'm the whitest Asian person you'll ever meet. I rarely eat Chinese food, I watch the Tony awards, I listen to 1970s prog rock. The most Asian thing I do is date white guys. But for me it's not really about culture, but really boils down to perception and appearance, which actually does matter quite a bit, which is why the closest analogy I can think of is the issue of colorism among African Americans.

Henry Golding's a great guy, and if he identifies as Asian that's great, and he's fine as hell too, but if this movie was supposed to send the political message that's being so heavily pushed here, casting him in that role is a total tone deaf move.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Pink Ranger, I don't want to detract from the point you're making because I can see your POV. I'm Asian male myself so I see where your frustrations for the right kind of representation of Asians are coming from but have you read the books this potential franchise is adapting?? All 3 books are outrageous, bombastic fluff pieces. The source material isn't some high-brow books for intellectuals and the movie looks to be playing it very closely to the books. So CRA probably isn't too far off from the likes of 'Sex & The City' as an example of consumer porn. I'm speculating on the last line so I could be wildly off here.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Pink Ranger, I don't want to detract from the point you're making because I can see your POV. I'm Asian male myself so I see where your frustrations for the right kind of representation of Asians are coming from but have you read the book/s this movie or the potential franchise is adapting?? All 3 books are outrageous, bombastic fluff pieces. The source material isn't some high-brow books for intellectuals and the movie seems looks to be playing it very closely to the books. So CRA probably isn't too far off from the likes of 'Sex & The City'. I'm speculating on the last line so I could be wildly off here.

Yeah, I know, and that's great that it's an entertainment movie being made about Asians. But maybe the producers of this movie should stop pushing the Asian empowerment angle here, just sayin'. It's annoying and rings false; it's virtue signalling at its worst. The worst part is that I know that I'm going to have to defend myself for not seeing this movie, and the conversations I have in IRL are going to turn out a bit like this.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Yeah, I know, and that's great that it's an entertainment movie being made about Asians. But maybe the producers of this movie should stop pushing the Asian empowerment angle here, just sayin'. It's annoying and rings false; it's virtue signalling at its worst. The worst part is that I know that I'm going to have to defend myself for not seeing this movie, and the conversations I have in IRL are going to turn out a bit like this.

I understand and appreciate your comments. It's a shame that you hafta defend your stance to your associates but stick to your guns dude.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I understand and appreciate your comments. It's a shame that you hafta defend your stance to your associates but stick to your guns dude.

If I want to watch an entertaining movie with Asian characters, I'll stick with Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Not trying to change the subject, but the title of this thread is just funny: Crazy Rich Asians - from the producer of The Hunger Games. If I saw that and new nothing about the film, I'd probably assume it was some sort of futuristic action movie about wealthy Asian people killing each other.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Not trying to change the subject, but the title of this thread is just funny: Crazy Rich Asians - from the producer of The Hunger Games. If I saw that and new nothing about the film, I'd probably assume it was some sort of futuristic action movie about wealthy Asian people killing each other.

I'm sure someone somewhere is working on a movie where rich Chinese people hunt Ryan Reynolds for sport. It will be called Eat, Prey, Kill.

 

[samsnee]

I have no problem with the actor. He’s background and heritage is clearly Asian. I just think his physical appearance undercuts what the filmmakers are trying to say, as Pink Ranger put so eloquently.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I have no problem with the actor. He’s background and heritage is clearly Asian. I just think his physical appearance undercuts what the filmmakers are trying to say, as Pink Ranger put so eloquently.

How dare you accuse me of eloquence? How dare you?

 

[Dr. Evil]

As an Asian American, I am glad that finally there is a movie that has nothing to do with Martial Arts. Recently saw "The Joy Luck Club" for the first time in years and good lord Ming Na has barely aged since then.

 

[TheVileOne]

As an Asian American, I am glad that finally there is a movie that has nothing to do with Martial Arts. Recently saw "The Joy Luck Club" for the first time in years and good lord Ming Na has barely aged since then.

Better Luck Tomorrow. One of Justin Lin's earlier films.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Better Luck Tomorrow. One of Justin Lin's earlier films.

I've seen it before, but not in years. Those have been few and far between though.

 

[TheVileOne]

I've seen it before, but not in years. Those have been few and far between though.

Robotech should have an Asian American lead if it ever gets made. Just make it Hikaru Ichijo or some variation thereof.

 

[Teelie]

I know I'm a bit late to this but I did notice that because one of the leads is only half-asian he's getting criticized for it. Because he is not pure asian he's not good enough?

I'm not looking to make an argument out of it but the similarity to how anyone who is half of one race is usually scapegoated or referenced to the disagreeable part more does not seem to stop when referring to half-black.

I get it, he's not 100% asian and has a white name but it seems disproportionate to the effort and otherwise entirely asian cast. The way he's not "good enough" sticks out to me as something about race and ethnicity people are still unable to reconcile.

 

[jmc]

Saying someone isn't the right level of a particular race is like some creepy purity test.

 

[Dr.]

I feel that it's kind of a dog-whistle political statement to the main target audience (women, particularly bougie Asian-American centrist/liberal feminists). We're going to show you a validating movie that can make you proud of your racialized heritage, but we won't subject you to the horror of seeing a gross pie-faced fully Asian guy in a romantic leading role, because we all know they're at the bottom of the heterosexual dating barrel.

Well, it’s Hollywood, Jake. Young, beautiful people - statistically unrepresentative of the general population - get cast in leading, romantic roles. Go figure.

 

[terry78]

Being biracial matters a little more to people of color than to white people when it comes to representation. Not saying it's right, but it is what it is. You couldn't have had like a Halle Berry or somebody in Black Panther, that was the point.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/crazy-rich-asians-review-1202900373/

If those pyrotechnic bursts seem to be gilding the lily, it’s only because Warner Bros.’ spared-no-expense adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s status-obsessed best-seller already feels like a grand, two-hour fireworks show, one in which gorgeous Asian stars parade around in dazzling, brightly colored couture, driving luxury cars to and from locations that suggest a cross between Versailles and Donald Trump’s bathroom (no, really, those are the design influences). Normally, such grandiosity is reserved for the queen of England, or the rarefied circles in which James Bond operates, although director Jon M. Chu (“Step Up 2: The Streets”) has crafted a broadly appealing charmer in which practically anyone can identify with Wu’s character as she’s whisked into this elite milieu.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/crazy-rich-asians-review-1133077

Director Jon M. Chu, novelist Kevin Kwan, co-screenwriters Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim and the appealing cast make the story culturally specific yet eminently relatable. It's a rocky romance dripping in the kind of stonking extravagance most of us can only fantasize about, like a $40 million wedding, for instance. And yet it's viewed from the anchoring perspective of a young woman who comes from nothing and remains true to herself throughout, played with grounded intelligence, backbone and emotional integrity by Fresh Off the Boat's Constance Wu in a lovely performance that gives the film real heart.

https://www.thewrap.com/crazy-rich-asians-film-review-constance-wu-emerges-as-a-major-star-in-culturally-rich-romantic-comedy/

“All Americans think about is their own happiness,” asserts affluent Chinese mother Eleanor Sung-Young (Michelle Yeoh) in a belittling tone when scrutinized about the overpowering influence family has over her son’s future. Her severe declaration encapsulates the critical ideological duel in director Jon M. Chu’s lavish film “Crazy Rich Asians” (based on Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel), where the pursuit of individual gratification is confronted with the notion of sacrificing one’s desires for the survival of tradition. Those rousing cross-cultural observations, however, are displayed not in a hardboiled drama but in an utterly sumptuous romantic comedy that aesthetically lives up to its Hollywood pedigree.

 

[dark_b]

I know I'm a bit late to this but I did notice that because one of the leads is only half-asian he's getting criticized for it. Because he is not pure asian he's not good enough?

.

complaining that he was cast doesnt mean that the criticism is aimed at him. He is an actor so of course when someone is not happy they say that they dont like the actor for the role. but its obvious meant for the producers,casting directors and studio.