Crazy Rich Asians

“Crazy Rich Asians” is a delightful film directed by Jon M. Chu with a screenplay co-written by Adele Kim and Pete Chiarelli based on the novel by Kevin Kwan. This is the first all Asian film since ‘The Joy Luck Club” which was shown some 25 years ago. Hopefully, it will not be the last. This a universally appealing piece of film making where, by chance, the participants are of Asian descent but all of us, Asian and non –Asian alike, can identify with the problems, circumstances and situations that befall the main characters in the film. True, it has a formula-style boy/girl/family plot but, because of the fine acting, editing and directing, the audience is able to just sit back with ease and enjoy how the story unfolds. Also, for those who have never been to or seen Singapore, the film offers an opportunity to view this exotic place that, in some instances, makes Dubai look like a shanty town. I give the film 3 stars and offer it as a very pleasant way to spend 2 hours watching characters engaged in a fun-filled romantic tale. 

The Wife

“The Wife” stars Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce in a film directed by Bjorn Runge, based on the novel by Meg Wolitazer and a screenplay written by Jane Anderson. The film examines the life and history of a couple married for almost 40 years and how a prestigious literary award impacts upon and affects their lives and those in their family. Ms. Close is at her finest and gives the audience the gift of portraying feelings and emotions more from her deep and expressive eyes than paragraphs of spoken dialogue she could ever physically utter. I give the film 3 and 1/2 stars and recommend it to all who enjoy a well directed movie, a quality script and acting performances that do it all justice.

“Juliet, Naked” stars Ethan Hawke, Rose Byrne and Chris Dowd in this film directed by Jesse Perez and written by his sister, Evgenia, Tamara Jenkins and Jim Taylor. With 3 co-writers you would expect that the end product would be more than a simple film with a simple plot but, unfortunately, it is not. I was never too great a fan of Ms. Byrne, but she shows a side of her ability in the role she plays that makes her endearing and enjoyable to watch. Mr. Dowd and Mr. Hawke also add to the film but all of them cannot overcome the basic shallowness of the script and lack of the depth of the characters they portray. I give the film 2 stars notwithstanding the fine efforts of the 3 stars in it.