Crazy Rich Asians' is set in a lavish and materialistic world. What does that say about us and is it a good thing?
I just watched Crazy Rich Asians and there was so much to love about it. It's only been out a matter of weeks and the internet is flooding with deep think-pieces; not something usually associated with rom-coms. So much has already been written about this movie:
the significance of Asian representation in western media
positive portrayals of Asian men
the role of part-Asians or “hapa” in society
the role of minorities in Singapore
the intricacies of mahjong and why it's such a bad-ass game
But I've been thinking a lot about what the movie says about money, what it says about us and how we should spend it. Don't worry, this isn't my amateur attempt at "Robert Kiyosake".
WARNING: SPOILERS INCOMING.
Crazy Rich Asians is extravagant in its portrayal of wealth: private parties in international waters, jewellery worn by royalty, pictures of dogs on pajamas (apparently, they were “super, super expensive”). Some have complained that the abundance of these elite one-percenters is unrelatable, others have theorised that China's Communist Party may deny the film's release in China as its depiction of materialism clashes with more socialist values. But part of this is to miss the point about what the film really says about prosperity. The film shows all the ways in which money can buy excitement. But it clearly shows that it’s not needed to bring happiness.
Can't buy me love
Funnily enough, the most touching scenes in the movie don’t revolve around wealth. The vibrancy of the night market food stalls, the connection in making dumplings as a family, the simplicity of beer and bromance (even if they did take a private helicopter to an untouched island to do so).
Lead character, Rachel, also falls in love with Nick while being completely oblivious to his families burgeoning financial empire (idealistic, but kinda unrealistic. I mean, seriously, who doesn't google-stalk someone who they're about to date nowadays?).
Rachel's mum, Kerry, is the "poorest" character in the movie, but is also one of the biggest heroes. Forever accepting, she saves Rachel in her time of need. In revealing their family history, the film praises Rachel's mum for migrating to America with Rachel, not for any attempts to climb the socioeconomic ladder, but because it would keep her and her daughter physically safe. Not bad for a poor, single mum with no education.
Yet at the same time, the movie doesn’t cast moral stink-eye towards wealth either. Wealth is just a backdrop to the story, it is amoral. The movie’s message is clear. Money can open doors, but it doesn’t automatically make you a better person. It also shouldn’t be the sole goal in life.
What does it say about our (Chinese) culture?
While it may also apply to other cultures, this message piqued something deep in this cheapskate Chinese heart. Traditionally, wealth is encouraged as a priority in our culture (alongside “education” and “family”) and it has played a part in many of our good times. We give money in red packets as gifts, we historically ate mandarins and oranges as they look like money, we love how yellow represents gold and one of our most common New Year greetings is wishing someone prosperity (恭喜发财 /gong xi fa cai/kung hei fat choi). While much of this is just symbolic, the real world shows numerous examples: we often hear rich friends and relatives talked about as being worthier because of their financial abundance and many have been discouraged from certain professions as the earning potential is lower.
Started from the bottom, now we're here.
And I can see the reasons for this emphasis on abundance as I recall stories from elders who grew up without it. Some lived (and still do) in government housing, others had to sleep on pieces of cardboard on the floor of the family store. Some ate pretty much just rice and soy sauce as that’s all they could afford. And new clothes were made, not bought. No matter their circumstances, they tried to live for the next generation. Money was to be enjoyed but also a means to build a better future for others. This investment helped some of us on the road to education and better incomes and many of us don't have the same economic struggles now. So now that we have some money, what are we doing with it?
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"
I’ve had friends (yes, plural) tell me that their short term life aspiration was to buy a designer bag as their friends had one and it was expected of them too (#squadgoals apparently). Others have confessed how they felt they needed to buy the latest phone as it showed people that they had a "successful" life. I’m not immune to the expectations of wealth and status either; I’m looking to buy a new car and I can't escape thinking about what image it portrays of me.
I can’t judge others, but I can ask myself whether I am using my financial resources to invest into a better “tomorrow”. Investing it for the next generation and paying back the previous generation are great things to do. At the same time, like the matriarch, Eleanor, I may need to expand my own thinking of “my family” and consider how I can help these new "brothers and sisters". I know friends who are passionate about kids so invest in charity child sponsorship. Others see all the plastic in our oceans and endeavour to buy more sustainable products. Some have been scarred by the destructive effects of cancer and are donating regularly to fund research and better treatment. And some are simply having a fun night out while still supporting minority voices in Kiwi media.
If we ever needed an example from CRA, Astrid Leong Teo, played by actress and everyone’s newest girl-crush, Gemma Chan, is introduced to us in the movie as a philanthropist and charity worker, highlighting that despite her burgeoning finances, it's her heart that sets her apart.
The final mahjong scene of CRA sums all this up perfectly. Rachel shows the beauty and power in putting others before ourselves when we are in a place of power; of remembering where we came from, understanding what we have now, and choosing to make someone else’s life better, even if it doesn’t make ours.