- Director: Jon M. Chu
- Year: 2018
Overview
Rachel travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick, only to discover his family is incredibly wealthy. She must navigate a complex social environment filled with judging relatives and jealous socialites who view her as an outsider. Nickβs mother, Eleanor, disapproves of Rachel's middle-class background and immigrant upbringing, believing she isn't suitable for Nick. Eleanor wants Nick to return to Singapore to run the family business. Rachel faces constant pressure and insults, leading her to confront Eleanor during a game of mahjong. She explains that she is rejecting Nick's proposal so he doesn't lose his family, which wins Eleanor's respect.
Takeaways
Nick's family belongs to a super-rich, exclusive circle in Singapore that goes to extreme lengths to protect their wealth and status. His mother, Eleanor, cares more about family duty and running their empire than about Nick's personal happiness. Rachel is a middle-class outsider who doesn't fit in, but she stands her ground during a tense mahjong game with Eleanor. By explaining that she turned down Nick's proposal to save him from losing his family, Rachel shows she is selfless, which finally earns Eleanor's respect. It shows that sometimes, standing up for yourself and showing your true character is the only way to win over people who look down on you.