Send-up of the super-rich elite of Southeast Asia, buried in a love story. Self-consciously alludes to satirists of the English upper-crust such as Somerset Maugham, & Evelyn Waugh. Every detail is intended to highlight the pomposity & profligacy of the world in which the story takes place. Also, there's a love story hidden in there somewhere. Much less of an advertisement for Republic of Singapore than the movie. Can't wait to read the sequel!