Crazy Rich Asians Almost Made Me Believe in Marriage

Despite the work stress piling up lately, this week had a few bright spots. We had a holiday last Tuesday, and I finally got to binge-watch "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" on Netflix.

Yesterday, I also watched "Crazy Rich Asians " with my friend Ghe at SM Aura. The hype was impossible to ignore, and I wanted to see what the fuss was all about.

The movie has been getting pretty rave reviews. Considering that the story revolves around being Asian in a changing world where traditions and modernity are constantly in conflict, I was interested to see how that would play out on the big screen.

The same goes for my friend Ghe, who watched the movie with me. It was not the type of movie that her boyfriend would be interested in, so we ended up going together to see what the hype was all about.

Quick Side Note on SM Aura's Cinema 2

We caught the 5:20 p.m. screening, right after our shift. Tickets were Php 290, a decent price considering other options were already Php 400+ for IMAX or Director’s Club.

I mean Crazy Rich Asians doesn't seem to be the type of movie where a 4D wind-in-your-hair viewing experience would make a difference, so regular cinema worked just fine.

LOL If that was Jurassic Park, watching it on IMAX or Director's Club would be non-negotiable.

It was my first time at SM Aura’s Cinema 2. Nothing fancy. Small but comfortable seats, decent screen, okay sound. I was more excited for the film anyway.

Let's Talk About the Movie

Before I say anything else, can we take a second to appreciate how ridiculously hot the guys in this movie are? I swear, it felt like every male cast member was a model and genetically engineered to ruin our standards for regular men. LOL

Okay moving on -- Crazy Rich Asians turned out to be more than just a glamorous rom-com. Sure, it was sprinkled with all the glitz you'd expect from the title - opulent estates, private islands, couture galore - but it also touched on deeper themes: identity, belonging, the weight of tradition, and the quiet strength it takes to stay true to yourself.

The women? Stunning as hell, in that “I-would-kill-for-her-skin-care-routine” kind of way. While the characters leaned on familiar tropes -- kindhearted underdog, icy matriarch, bitchy socialites -- there was enough charm and heart to keep it feeling fresh.

Constance Wu = My New Hero

Constance Wu as Rachel Chu was a standout. 😍

I already loved her in Fresh Off the Boat, but this role gave her so much more room to shine. She played Rachel with such quiet strength and awkward relatability. It was refreshing to see an Asian female lead portrayed as complex, stylish, and vulnerable without being hypersexualized or nerdified.

Wu herself is very pretty, but what struck me was how flat-chested she was. What made it amazing was that the book and the movie adaptation didn't downplay that fact or even try to cover it at any point.

For a Hollywood movie known for oversexualizing females, I was pleasantly surprised that the movie did not make a big deal about her being flat at all. No weird camera angles, no unnecessary “glow-up” montages, no dramatic boob tape interventions. She owned it, flaunted it, and honestly, I felt so seen. Flat girls unite. 😂

Hot, Rich, Ridiculously Dreamy Prince Charming

Then there's Nick Young. Boy oh boy.

Played by Henry Ewan Golding, he's the literal dream boyfriend - filthy rich but lowkey, respectful, grounded, and looks like a GQ cover come to life.

(On a side note, doesn't he look like Marco Alcaraz? 🤔)

Anyhoo, back to the movie, imagine having a rich as fuck boyfriend who also happen to be a complete gentleman and who looks like he just stepped out of a magazine every damn time - like WTF? Does a perfect guy like that actually exist in real life?

I even joked to Ghe that the whole movie almost made me change my mind about marriage. Almost. hahaha.

Astrid - The Ultimate Queen

But the real scene-stealer in the movie was Astrid - the elegant, beautiful, and kind cousin of Nick Young. She's perfect, and I'll fight you if you don't agree with me. LOL

While the love story was sweet and kilig, it was Astrid who stole the show for me. She’s the embodiment of grace, beauty, and inner strength.

Her storyline about dealing with a cheating husband hit hard. It made me want to scream, “YOU DESERVE BETTER!” at the screen. I seriously hope she gets her happy ending in the sequels.

Here's me and my friend Ghe after watching the movie and getting some much-needed noms at Mercato Centrale.

My Mom Was Already Done With Crazy Rich Asians Even Before It Went Mainstream

Plot twist: my mom has already read the entire Crazy Rich Asians trilogy before it got so hyped and went mainstream. And she was just so chill about the whole thing, like she couldn't care less about the hype it's getting lately. LOL

I tried reading the first book ages ago but never finished it. Maybe I’ll pick it back up when I fly home to Cebu in a couple of weeks. Let’s see if the book Astrid is just as perfect.

Anyhoo, here's my final take since I have to go to Star City in a while: Crazy Rich Asians is more than a shiny fairytale. It’s a celebration of heritage, love, and finding the courage to stand your ground. It made me laugh, swoon, and think, which is more than I can say for most rom-coms these days

Will I watch it again? Yes.

Will I now hold every man to Nick Young standards? Unfortunately, yes, but I've also resigned myself to the reality that that's unlikely to happen.

Do I regret watching it? Not one bit.

Now off to get ready for Star City. Life isn’t all glamour and champagne, but a little fun never hurts. 😉