Crazy Rich Asians can teach us about the region's economic rise | Kenneth Rogoff

The surprise hit movie should lead to many more such stories being told by Hollywood

In the surprise hit movie Crazy Rich Asians (based on a 2013 Kevin Kwan novel), a New York University economics professor (Rachel), travels with her boyfriend to Singapore to meet his family. There, she learns, apparently for the first time, that her significant other (Nick) is heir to one of Asia's largest fortunes and has a mother intent on making sure her son does not marry a commoner, Asian American or not.

Partly because of its (terrific) all-Asian cast (an extreme rarity), and partly because it recalls earlier eras of great romantic comedies, the film has caused a lot of buzz. Perhaps there will even be a long overdue Oscar for Michelle Yeoh (from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), who plays the steely but loving mother.

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