Crazy Rich Asians

Astrid is charmed when Ah Chee, Charlie’s childhood maid, opens the door and greets her and Charlie warmly. She hurries away to get Astrid and Charlie food, though they insist they’re not hungry. When Astrid notices the Brancusi sculptures, Charlie explains that his wife hates Brancusi. He was only able to get all his collected art out when he moved to this apartment, which is small but convenient. Astrid says it’s bigger than her apartment; Michael didn’t want to let Harry buy them a bigger place, so she agreed to live someplace Michael could afford. Annoyed by “that idiot” Michael, Charlie sets Astrid up in his bedroom and leaves her alone. As Astrid admires the Hong Kong skyline, she thinks about her and Charlie’s early days.

It’s 1995, and Charlie has brought Astrid to see Paris for the first time. Charlie grew up flying through Europe, eating out, and shopping, but Astrid didn’t: her family eats at home and has a family tailor who makes their clothes. Now that they’re both 18, Charlie wants to show Astrid his world, “dress her like the princess she [is],” and make her his. So he leads her to a boutique and sends her to look around while he buys camera batteries across the street. Astrid enters the chic, modern space and admires the clothes draped on hooks. The saleswoman haughtily asks if she can help Astrid, and when Astrid asks about one of the dresses, the woman says it’s couture—made to order—and really expensive.

Astrid runs into Charlie as she’s leaving the boutique. He’s enraged to hear that the saleswoman wouldn’t help Astrid and storms in. He tells the woman and the man who just appeared that he’d like to buy Astrid a new wardrobe. When the woman asks about payment, Charlie gets on his phone and asks his banker to get in contact with the Paris branch and call this shop to inform them he can afford whatever he wants. A few minutes later, the phone rings—and the woman apologizes, hangs up, and consults with her colleague in French. Astrid can understand everything and tells Charlie that his banker called the designer himself; he’s coming to supervise her fittings. Charlie insists Astrid choose at least 20 garments. According to his dad, the only way to get racist white people to respect you is to spend a lot of money.

Charlie buys Astrid all sorts of things over the next week, from Hermès luggage to dozens of couture dresses and a diamond-encrusted watch. They eat out and dance. On this trip, Astrid discovers couture clothing and a new passion. Spending money like Charlie is exhilarating.