**No Spoilers**

All the major Asian characters of my childhood movies and TV shows were either kung fu masters, living in Imperial China, or both. I still continue to rewatch them today, but, as a Taiwanese American girl from the suburbs of Jersey, it was tough seeing my own life reflected in these works.

Crazy Rich Asians is a glitzy rom-com with a huge focus on family, culture, fashion, and friendship. It’s essentially the ultimate fulfillment for Asian Americans who grew up loving teen dramas, and I loved every second of it.

It is the most I’ve ever identified with Asian characters on screen. Even more, I saw all sorts of people in my life being given a voice too.

I saw parts of my life being put into film, from experiences that every girl can relate to, like Araminta emulating an early college student who’s ready to get lit or Peik Lin being the brash best friend we always go to for advice, to experiences that are unique to the Asian American experience. (Introducing formerly skeptical, and possibly grossed-out, friends to Asian foods and seeing their surprise and delight in trying and liking something new was practically routine at one point in my life.)

Little universal Asian American anecdotes are scattered throughout the movie, and it just goes to show the detail that was put into this movie. These stories really serve to distinguish the difference between Asian Americans and Asians who grew up in their motherland, and it emphasizes that we should not all be lumped in the same category.

It also brought light to the bond between Asian American children and their mothers; as of late, Asian mothers are almost always stereotyped as Tiger Moms, but Crazy Rich Asians proved that they are so much more. The scene where Rachel’s mom sought to comfort her daughter brought me to tears, because it’s something that my own mom does. Nick’s mother could have also been easily portrayed as a villain, but the depth that Michelle Yeoh brings to this character prevents viewers from simply viewing her as the bad guy.