Crazy Rich Asians

Tropic Sprockets by Ian Brockway

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The effervescent and sparkling “Crazy Rich Asians” by Jon M. Chu (“Step Up 3D”) is delightfully unassuming. Its smooth fluidity and verve makes great entertainment and diversion while also offering some dramatic heft. The story strikes the perfect balance between frivolity and commentary. It is soaring and colorful throughout.

Rachel (Constance Wu) has been invited to a friend’s wedding by her longtime boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) so that she can meet Nick’s family in Singapore. Rachel is thrilled, albeit nervous.

From the very start Rachel is flabbergasted; her boyfriend is a regular on first class flights. She visits her best friend Peik Lin (Awkwafina) who says that Rachel won’t have a chance with Nick’s family unless she dresses well.

This is essentially a direct Cinderella story, but its terrific energy along with some carbonated humor and heart sets it above the rest.

Golding and Wu have a solid and entertaining chemistry. One believes they are actually in love. Both Michelle Yeoh and Lisa Lu deliver stand out performances as Nick’s mother and grandmother, respectively, while Ken Jeong (“The Hangover”) delivers some laughs that are sincerely funny. The entire story glides along with a glittering slickness in dazzling eye-popping flashes almost like a 3D film, no glasses necessary.

There are wonderfully luscious shots of food. Bright plates of crispy meat pop with color and sizzle in flame, while noodles and dumplings dance, twist and roll. The art of eating is transformed to pyrotechnics. Constance Wu makes a dazzling “Cinderella” whose eyes open in innocent joy time and time again.

Some may rightly call this pure Disneyesque entertainment, and they would be right. But it achieves this wonderfully well. The actors have heart and potency and while it does indeed have the stuff of a soap opera, no one treats it as such. These characters are drawn with quirk and care, and we in turn care about them.

Part comedy, part drama, part romance and part social commentary, “Crazy Rich Asians” is a vibrant surprise through and through. While its melodramatic clichés are well in force, it is quickly evident that cheer is paramount. Though we know what’s coming, all elements are sincerely affecting with popping colors and joyful motion.

Write Ian at ianfree11@yahoo.com