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Lucy Buglass (45 KP) rated Crazy Rich Asians (2018) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
A Rom-Com with Substance
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. This isn’t really the kind of film I’m particularly fond of. Everything about it screams ‘cheesy rom-com’, just look at that poster. But, I’m happy to say I walked away from this film feeling so glad that I had watched it. This is a classic example of not judging a film by its poster or trailer, as it has so much more to offer.
As the title of my review suggests, I mainly loved this film because of the overall narrative. There’s a lot of character development and dark secrets, meaning your interest is constantly held throughout the film. You really start to care about these characters and their lives, and I didn’t feel like anyone was just thrown in there for the sake of it. The dynamics between characters is really well done and realistic, and it’s very easy for you to quickly love or hate them. I was so impressed by the quality of the acting, and how each actor brought their characters to life on screen. I was especially blown away by Michelle Yeoh and Gemma Chan, for very different reasons. I was also happy to see an all-Asian cast in a mainstream film, as we still have a lot to do when it comes to wider representation and films like this are a huge step in the right direction.
I also feel like people could identify with some of the themes, especially this idea of a class divide and feeling unwelcome. It was so eye-opening to see how some people are shunned by families because of their social status, and how important it is for families to protect their name and heritage at all costs. Whilst Crazy Rich Asians shows an extreme version of this type of behaviour, class divides are prevalent across the world so this was a really interesting theme to explore. This theme is one of the reasons why I felt this film had so much substance, as it goes beyond simply being just another rom-com and shows us some serious, real-life issues instead. There are some scenes in Crazy Rich Asians that are far from comedic, and shows us a darker side to life within a wealthy, influential circle. The results are as dark as you’d expect. I don’t want to give any spoilers – experience it for yourself instead.
As for the comedy, it was genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. I am always apprehensive with comedy films as sometimes it can become too ridiculous and slapstick, but Crazy Rich Asians was satirical and smart, with some silly moments thrown in there too. I’m so impressed with how they blended humour with drama this effortlessly. It knows how to balance this without going too far one way, and the result is an incredibly well-rounded and three dimensional film that made me laugh and cry in equal measure. It’s a truly captivating film from start to finish.
Visually, it’s a stunning piece of cinema. You’re greeted with bright colours, gorgeous set design, and you’re transported to a world of luxury and Chinese culture, with these hostile undertones. On the big screen it’s even better, because you get to experience this gorgeous film on a large scale. It’s hard to take your eyes off it. I’m looking forward to revisiting this film in future so I can look for more details the second time around, as I’m sure I missed stuff during my initial viewing!
If this is the future of rom-com, consider me converted. I was so impressed by the overall film and would recommend it to anyone. Please don’t let the title and synopsis put you off, it’s such a smart, funny, heartbreaking film and I urge you to give it a go. You might end up as surprised as me!
https://lucygoestohollywood.com/2018/09/16/a-rom-com-with-substance-my-thoughts-on-crazy-rich-asians/
As the title of my review suggests, I mainly loved this film because of the overall narrative. There’s a lot of character development and dark secrets, meaning your interest is constantly held throughout the film. You really start to care about these characters and their lives, and I didn’t feel like anyone was just thrown in there for the sake of it. The dynamics between characters is really well done and realistic, and it’s very easy for you to quickly love or hate them. I was so impressed by the quality of the acting, and how each actor brought their characters to life on screen. I was especially blown away by Michelle Yeoh and Gemma Chan, for very different reasons. I was also happy to see an all-Asian cast in a mainstream film, as we still have a lot to do when it comes to wider representation and films like this are a huge step in the right direction.
I also feel like people could identify with some of the themes, especially this idea of a class divide and feeling unwelcome. It was so eye-opening to see how some people are shunned by families because of their social status, and how important it is for families to protect their name and heritage at all costs. Whilst Crazy Rich Asians shows an extreme version of this type of behaviour, class divides are prevalent across the world so this was a really interesting theme to explore. This theme is one of the reasons why I felt this film had so much substance, as it goes beyond simply being just another rom-com and shows us some serious, real-life issues instead. There are some scenes in Crazy Rich Asians that are far from comedic, and shows us a darker side to life within a wealthy, influential circle. The results are as dark as you’d expect. I don’t want to give any spoilers – experience it for yourself instead.
As for the comedy, it was genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. I am always apprehensive with comedy films as sometimes it can become too ridiculous and slapstick, but Crazy Rich Asians was satirical and smart, with some silly moments thrown in there too. I’m so impressed with how they blended humour with drama this effortlessly. It knows how to balance this without going too far one way, and the result is an incredibly well-rounded and three dimensional film that made me laugh and cry in equal measure. It’s a truly captivating film from start to finish.
Visually, it’s a stunning piece of cinema. You’re greeted with bright colours, gorgeous set design, and you’re transported to a world of luxury and Chinese culture, with these hostile undertones. On the big screen it’s even better, because you get to experience this gorgeous film on a large scale. It’s hard to take your eyes off it. I’m looking forward to revisiting this film in future so I can look for more details the second time around, as I’m sure I missed stuff during my initial viewing!
If this is the future of rom-com, consider me converted. I was so impressed by the overall film and would recommend it to anyone. Please don’t let the title and synopsis put you off, it’s such a smart, funny, heartbreaking film and I urge you to give it a go. You might end up as surprised as me!
https://lucygoestohollywood.com/2018/09/16/a-rom-com-with-substance-my-thoughts-on-crazy-rich-asians/
Sarah (7799 KP) rated Table 19 (2017) in Movies
Feb 4, 2018 (Updated Feb 4, 2018)
Instantly forgettable
I hadnt really heard of this film and I guess now I know why. It's described as a rom-com but it's far from funny and the romance is a bit hit and miss too.
I was expecting something pretty funny but instead the jokes were few and far between. It has a good cast but they're wasted on such a serious and cliched script and plot. You can tell too that its very low budgey. It's all a bit cringey and although it wasn't quite bad enough to turn off, its instantly forgettable and not one I'd watch again. Shame as I was hoping it'd be more of an undiscovered gem.
I was expecting something pretty funny but instead the jokes were few and far between. It has a good cast but they're wasted on such a serious and cliched script and plot. You can tell too that its very low budgey. It's all a bit cringey and although it wasn't quite bad enough to turn off, its instantly forgettable and not one I'd watch again. Shame as I was hoping it'd be more of an undiscovered gem.
Dean (6927 KP) rated If Only (2004) in Movies
Sep 11, 2018
A Romantic drama that seems to have been missed by most. Jennifer Love Hewitt and a few familiar English faces pop up in this. Set in London a man gets to relive a day in which things didn't work out between him and his girlfriend before she is in an accident. Will he be able to change the path of destiny and save her second time round? Quite similar but not quite as good as Sliding doors, which had the same type of plot and also set in London. If you like romantic films which deal with fate and destiny you will like this. Don't mistake it for a Rom-Com though, not much to laugh at here.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated The Kissing Booth 3 (2021) in Movies
Nov 29, 2021
The final kiss... (hopefully)
So I ga e this a watch as I'd already seen the first two, it's not often that a threequel is as bad as its predecessors yet even with a large shift in its own continuitie, this was still worse.
Continuing With its usual obvious opening, it gradually ops to changing to an inevitable break up between the main two characters and somewhat focuses on an will they or won't the scenario that quickly becomes bland.
Although the change was a smart one it still seemed to drag its story and with a rocky but acceptable ending.
Standard Netflix teen rom-com, watch with this warning.
Continuing With its usual obvious opening, it gradually ops to changing to an inevitable break up between the main two characters and somewhat focuses on an will they or won't the scenario that quickly becomes bland.
Although the change was a smart one it still seemed to drag its story and with a rocky but acceptable ending.
Standard Netflix teen rom-com, watch with this warning.
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated Playing for Keeps (2012) in Movies
Dec 11, 2017
Unmemorable
Contains spoilers, click to show
This film has a great cast, some big names, so you'd have thought it had potential. It is supposed to be a rom-com but it was sappy, unfunny and unbelievable. Other than being an ex soccer star the main character has nothing going for him but a bevy of beautiful women are all throwing themselves at him! It was all pretty pathetic. He tries to woo back his ex wife who has been settled with her new fiance for three years and is due to get married within days, but of course she will realise that she's not truly in love with said beau. and call it all off.
Cashback (2007)
7.3
Rate It
Movie
Award winning rom-com about an art student killing time (literally) by working in a late night...
Dean (6927 KP) rated Songbird (2018) in Movies
Dec 26, 2020
Plot (2 more)
Camera work
Attempt at humour
Terrible
Aka Alright Now, only watched because Cobie Smulders is very good in @Stumptown and thought this might be funny. Really not sure how this even got released! It's really bad barely a plot to it, the script doesn't have much to it. It's not funny, it feels really amateurish alround. The camera work is very shaky like it was shot on a handheld camcorder. It doesn't really make sense. A fading popstar decides to enroll at a university after breaking up with her band who were good 20 years ago. Slight Rom-com angle to it as well that also just doesn't fit in. Skip this you'll be glad.
David McK (3540 KP) rated The fall guy (2024) in Movies
Dec 6, 2024
I think I might have to make a new genre for this to fit into - rom-com adventure conspiracy action movie maybe?
Anyway, in this Ryan Gosling plays a stuntman who - after a near fatal accident (or was it?) - broke off all contact with his former co-workers, including his girlfriend (as played by Emily Blunt), until he is eventually pulled back into the making of a new movie, directed by said former partner, after the star of the movie (who he was previously the body double for, pre-accident) goes missing.
This movie, then, is really about a movie-within-a-movie, playing heavy attention to the oft-overlooked role of the professional stuntmen (and women) in Hollywood blockbusters.
Anyway, in this Ryan Gosling plays a stuntman who - after a near fatal accident (or was it?) - broke off all contact with his former co-workers, including his girlfriend (as played by Emily Blunt), until he is eventually pulled back into the making of a new movie, directed by said former partner, after the star of the movie (who he was previously the body double for, pre-accident) goes missing.
This movie, then, is really about a movie-within-a-movie, playing heavy attention to the oft-overlooked role of the professional stuntmen (and women) in Hollywood blockbusters.
An Ex For Christmas: Love Unexpectedly 5
Book
An Ex For Christmas is a charming Love Unexpectedly friends-to-lovers rom-com from Lauren Layne, the...
romance
Villainous Vee (53 KP) rated Isn't It Romantic (2019) in Movies
Mar 1, 2019
Good cast (1 more)
Funny script
I love Rebel Wilson. She is funny, smart and everything she is in seems a little bit brighter and this is no exception.
Yes it's your typical rom-com, cheesy love story and funny script, but it knows it is and it makes sure that you know it too.
It almost has a 13 going on 30 twist too it although with their own take on it and although I love Rebel I thought I was going to be a bit bored... But I wasn't.
If you want something light hearted, funny, eye candy for the guys and girls, with a bit of love thrown in there then check this film out.
Oh and the sound track is amazing, great choices there, couldn't help but sing along too it!!
Yes it's your typical rom-com, cheesy love story and funny script, but it knows it is and it makes sure that you know it too.
It almost has a 13 going on 30 twist too it although with their own take on it and although I love Rebel I thought I was going to be a bit bored... But I wasn't.
If you want something light hearted, funny, eye candy for the guys and girls, with a bit of love thrown in there then check this film out.
Oh and the sound track is amazing, great choices there, couldn't help but sing along too it!!