HOUSTON’S OWN DISH ON CRAZY RICH ASIANS

Recently I succumbed to irresistible family pressure to take in the Hollywood hit movie Crazy Rich Asians (CRA). Released this summer, it is the second biggest grossing rom-com behind My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the all-time leader. I am glad I did, for two reasons. First, it is based on the critically acclaimed, eponymous debut novel of best-selling author Kevin Kwan, a product of Houston’s Clear Lake High School. And second, the Singapore-based crazies in the movie reminded me of the Uber Rich Indians who are second to none in their craziness.

Houston based 47 year old lawyer and stand up comedian Son Tran spoke with LCAHouston on his view on this film. “The movie itself is a fairly standard rom-com. It’s value and appeal stem from the fact it had an all Asian cast,” says Tran. “This is both heartening and sad at the same time. It’s 2018 and a movie like CRA is still making waves because of the casting. This should be a normal thing but it’s not and that’s indicative of how little progress we’ve made in terms of representations of Asians in media,” he adds.

Son enjoyed the movie and was happy it was made. “Without the buzz about the casting though I don’t think it would have made the money it did,” he explains. If it were a standard movie with a white cast he thinks it would have been forgotten fairly quickly. Compared to something like Joy Luck Club, CRA pales in comparison as a movie that stays with us after we leave the theater.

“So maybe the attention CRA got does indicate that something is changing,” added Tran.

This satirical movie centers on Rachel Chu, played by actress Constance Wu. Rachel is a smart, independent Chinese American who is in love with Nick Young, scion of an insanely wealthy Singapore family. Rachel finds the obscene wealth, materialism, and archaic expectation of the Young family unnerving. But the movie has the stereotypical gaiety of the wild world of the wealthy with their attendant idiosyncrasies. In some instances there is extreme cattiness, with mind-boggling “mean girl” behavior. However, it is heartwarming to see a heroine like Rachel holding up, loving life, and loving her man on her own terms. The message of the movie is – stay in control, love yourself, and never lose your dignity or class.

India is no Singapore, of course, but amidst its abysmal poverty it boasts pockets of wealth comparable to that of any other part of the world. Much of the cultural undercurrent of this movie applies just as well to the super-rich in India like the Ambanis, Adanis, Tatas, and Birlas, with their multi-generational old wealth and to the first-generation US – based nouveau riche in the Desi diaspora, who have suddenly become wealthy thanks to a magical stroke of luck in the IT, finance, and related fields. Amongst them is a galaxy of billionaires like Romesh Wadhwani of the private equity firm Symphony, Rakesh Gangwal of IndiGo, venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, K. R. Shriram an early investor in Google, John Kapoor of Insys Therapeutics, Aneel Bhusari, Neeraj Shah, Jayshree Ullal, and the list goes on.

There are now over 20 million Asians in the US of which 3 million, or about 1 percent of the total US population, are of Indian origin. Beyond the billionaires among them, there is a large population of millionaires and multi-millionaires in this NRI community.

Houston’s very own Mandy Kao, President of real-estate development and investment firm Titan Management, hosted a VIP screening of the movie before the movie’s release. It was a packed audience with a diverse crowd of very fashionable ladies.

Recently at a Dior event in the River Oaks District, LCAHouston International Society News Magazine spotted some of Houston’s elegant ladies in their ‘Crazy Rich Glamour’. Alice R. Mao, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Baylor College of Medicine is one of Houston’s elite and was in attendance. She loves the artistic interpretation of classic designs. “My friend and stylist Rebecca Brinkley called me one day and told me that I needed to see the silver cherry blossom hand bag. It was sold only in Europe but Christopher Venegas had managed to obtain one for display at the Houston Dior Store. I fell in love with the miniature handbag because being Asian, I have always been very fond of the elusive cherry blossoms which blooms so rarely.”

Mao had also hosted a private screening off the film. She commented, “Crazy Rich Asians’ had all the elements of fun, escapist reading including high drama, high fashion and lots of interesting relationships. Beyond the glamour and the designer names, what is very compelling is the difficulty of growing up in bicultural environments! Balancing the traditions, customs and values of your ethnic background with the different values of your national identity.“

Alice R. Mao, MD

Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor of College of Medicine, TCH Autism Center, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Autism Clinic.

When asked how many Dior bags do you have? Alice responded, “I have lost count.” (Laughs). “My current favorite the Diorama! I love the artist collections that are revealed each year.”

Milka Waterland

Passionate in serving her community she is at present a stay home mom with a degree in dentistry specializing in root canals.

“My favorite # 1 is Chanel, but I also like Gucci and Dior. My favorite designer is Oscar De la Renta because he is from my home country, the Dominican Republic, and also because his style is so classic and chic!”

Shelley Fang

A medical student pursuing a career in psychiatry.

“As Houston has the most diverse population in the US, I certainly think that Houstonians can relate to the movie ‘Crazy Rich Asians’!”

Taylor Hise, MD

PGY-3, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine

“I’ve always been a Chanel girl. Something about the classic elegance in the designs has always spoken to me.“

Abigail Elizabeth Venegas

A stay-at-home mom with a side hustle of being an on-location hairstylist who simply loves Dior.

Do you think Houstonians can relate to the Crazy Rich Asians movie?

“Yes! I think Houstonians can relate in that we have some of the most attractive and successful Asians I’ve ever laid eyes upon!”

Toni Tate

A proud step mother of two lovely daughters, she enjoys chairing various charity events and volunteers her time to notable causes.

“I like to watch reality TV shows like Botched and Real Housewives, because they make me thankful I don’t have quite that much drama in my own life! I also like the occasional treat for myself, whether it’s an indulgent dessert or a little shopping spree. Shoes are my weakness. Anyone who knows me knows I can’t live without my Lucho shoes. I really think I might have an obsession with them!”