Performances

Kwan critiques the Singaporean upper crust for its outlandishness, obsession with perfection, and preoccupation with social norms by demonstrating how participating in such society is like participating in a series of scripted, choreographed performances.

Eddie’s obsession with his family’s color coordination for Colin’s wedding festivities goes beyond ensuring everyone wears the same shade. Instead, he curses at and tries to hit his child for wearing the wrong cummerbund, screams at his wife for not letting him approve her dress before she bought it, and blames all of Italy for his ill-fitting suit (which does not fit because his own rapid weight gain, not because of incompetent tailors). Kwan uses Eddie’s overblown personality and short temper to critique the way that the Singaporean elite approach social events as big productions. Eddie’s obsession with looking perfect is clearly a danger to those around...