Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan is one of my personal favorites because who doesn’t love rich people complaining about their problems? Unlike most of my favorite books, however, this one has a movie adaptation. Most of the time the movie is horrible compared to the book, but this one wasn’t as bad as you might think.
Basic Differences
The first thing that’s different is how condensed the movie is compared to the book. Now this is no surprise: The book is over 500 pages while the movie is only 2 hours. Things are meant to be a bit smaller in comparison. (I wouldn’t want to watch a 5 hour movie anyway.) The only problem with this is that it cuts out a lot of details. Another thing is Rachel's personality. In the book, she's very shy and doesn't talk back to anyone. In the movie, she is extremely awkward and talks a lot more than she honestly should. Very odd.
The first thing that’s different is how condensed the movie is compared to the book. Now this is no surprise: The book is over 500 pages while the movie is only 2 hours. Things are meant to be a bit smaller in comparison. (I wouldn’t want to watch a 5 hour movie anyway.) The only problem with this is that it cuts out a lot of details. Another thing is Rachel's personality. In the book, she's very shy and doesn't talk back to anyone. In the movie, she is extremely awkward and talks a lot more than she honestly should. Very odd.
Meeting the Parents
For starters, Rachel (the main character) doesn't meet Eleanor (Rachel’s boyfriend's mom, who is very rich) until she goes to her house in the book. In the movie, however, she meets her at Nick’s (Rachel’s Boyfriend) grandmother's party. This completely threw me off guard. In the book, Eleanor was off in Hong Kong digging up things on Rachel. She wasn’t even in Singapore (where the story resides) until much much later. In the movie, however, Eleanor is helping plan the party. Another thing is Rachel didn’t even meet Nick's father. He is nowhere to be found in the movie. Completely absent. This definitely speeds up the storyline in an interesting way.
For starters, Rachel (the main character) doesn't meet Eleanor (Rachel’s boyfriend's mom, who is very rich) until she goes to her house in the book. In the movie, however, she meets her at Nick’s (Rachel’s Boyfriend) grandmother's party. This completely threw me off guard. In the book, Eleanor was off in Hong Kong digging up things on Rachel. She wasn’t even in Singapore (where the story resides) until much much later. In the movie, however, Eleanor is helping plan the party. Another thing is Rachel didn’t even meet Nick's father. He is nowhere to be found in the movie. Completely absent. This definitely speeds up the storyline in an interesting way.
Meeting Old Friends
One of the main things that stayed the same was Rachel and Nick's meetup with Nick's friends Collin and Araminta. They meet them at the airport and then go out to eat. As much as I love this scene, this was one of the only ones that remained consistent. Rachel meets a lot of Nick's old friends at Aramintas bachelorette party–one of which, in the book at least, she makes friends with. She is a surgeon and doesn't like the friends that were invited just like Rachel. This new friend also helps Rachel calm down after someone left a dead fish on her bed (crazy, I know). In the movie, though, she doesn't meet her. She’s not even there. Instead of her, she has Astrid (Nick's beautiful cousin) who wasn’t supposed to be there at all. In the book, Astrid is too shaken up to even attend the party. In the movie, however, Astrid is there with Rachel and actually finds the dead fish with her. They both walk into the room together. There are a lot more characters who aren’t where they’re meant to be, but these were the main two.
One of the main things that stayed the same was Rachel and Nick's meetup with Nick's friends Collin and Araminta. They meet them at the airport and then go out to eat. As much as I love this scene, this was one of the only ones that remained consistent. Rachel meets a lot of Nick's old friends at Aramintas bachelorette party–one of which, in the book at least, she makes friends with. She is a surgeon and doesn't like the friends that were invited just like Rachel. This new friend also helps Rachel calm down after someone left a dead fish on her bed (crazy, I know). In the movie, though, she doesn't meet her. She’s not even there. Instead of her, she has Astrid (Nick's beautiful cousin) who wasn’t supposed to be there at all. In the book, Astrid is too shaken up to even attend the party. In the movie, however, Astrid is there with Rachel and actually finds the dead fish with her. They both walk into the room together. There are a lot more characters who aren’t where they’re meant to be, but these were the main two.
Gossiping
In the book, every person talks about Rachel to her face. One of Nick's exes even goes so far to try and kiss him. In the movie, though, no one talks about her. All they do is just look at her funny. It's so shocking. In the book they were so brutal, and in the movie, they were so nice in comparison. I loved the gossip in the book, and I love the fact that Rachel didn't try to fight them even more. It was one of my favorite parts and I’m very sad that it got cut.
In the book, every person talks about Rachel to her face. One of Nick's exes even goes so far to try and kiss him. In the movie, though, no one talks about her. All they do is just look at her funny. It's so shocking. In the book they were so brutal, and in the movie, they were so nice in comparison. I loved the gossip in the book, and I love the fact that Rachel didn't try to fight them even more. It was one of my favorite parts and I’m very sad that it got cut.
Overall, I love the movie. Sure, I wish there was a bit more detail and a bit more gossiping, but I'm not mad about it. It's very good for a movie version of the book. I still like the book better overall, but the movie isn't horribly bad. They cast everyone really well and the wedding was absolutely stunning. I almost cried when she was walking down the aisle. So honestly, they got the most important part of the book right, which was the wedding, and everything else was sub par. If you want to cry over a wedding that isn't yours or anyone who you know, then I definitely recommend the movie. Especially if you love weddings just as much as I do.
Allyse Walker
