Crazy Rich Asians, the hotly-anticipated Hollywood movie on the extravagant shenanigans of an ultra-rich Singapore family will only be out on August 22 here, but its trailer has already chalked up close to five million views. The glamorous trailer by Warner Bros was released on YouTube on Monday (April 23).
The movie is based on the book by Singapore-born author Kevin Kwan, which chronicles the lives of the rich and famous, whose idea of throwing a society gathering involves a glittering display of synchronised swimming watched on by a chi-chi crowd. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie revolves around Rachel Chu, an Chinese-American university professor (played by Fresh Off The Boat’s Constance Wu) who discovers that her Singapore-born boyfriend (television host Henry Goulding) belongs to one of the richest families in the Republic during a glitzy society wedding. However, she meets a stumbling block in the form of a disapproving matriarch (Michelle Yeoh).
Crazy Rich Asians also stars a slew of Singapore actors such as Pierre Png (whose abs made a star appearance in the trailer), Fiona Xie, Tan Kheng Hua, Janice Koh and Selena Tan. Shooting scenes commenced in Singapore in June last year. The movie is billed as the first Hollywood movie with an all-Asian cast since The Joy Luck Club (1993).
The snazzy trailer features various locations around Singapore. We playfully imagine the spots that the well-heeled Young clan and company would dine at.
CHIJMES
The society wedding of the year between Singapore's most eligible bachelor Colin Khoo and fashion queen Araminta Lee takes place at CHIJMES Chapel to much fanfare. The chapel is filled with over-the-top flora and fauna deco and red lanterns. It is likely that some members of the Young, T’sien and Shang clan would adjourn at Cantonese restaurant Lei Garden or modern Australian restaurant, Whitegrass, which are in CHIJMES, for a soiree after the wedding reception.
Newton Circus Food Centre
The crazy rich trio of Nick Young, Colin Khoo and Araminta Lee (finally) tuck into some local hawker food. We spy satay and sambal stingray that will be washed down with beer at this popular hawker centre.
Dim Sum Restaurants
Our sharp eyes caught the Young clan digging dim sum from piles of bamboo baskets at the cavernous dining table. No doubt the clan goes for luxe dim sum sessions in restaurants too. Here are six Michelin-starred restaurants that dole out dim sum.
Gardens By The Bay
Yet another spectacular gathering takes place at the SuperTrees at Gardens By The Bay. We see so much drama bubbling between the imposing Aunty Eleanor and Rachel during the buzzing party that we need to take a respite at the nearby Mediterranean restaurant, Pollen in the Flower Dome.
Rachel Chu grumbles about her crazy rich boyfriend’s scheming mother with her pal over cocktails at the alfresco area at Gibson Bar that overlooks heritage shophouses along Bukit Pasoh Road. After a pre-meal cocktail, there is a wealth of food options in the nearby hip dining enclaves, from modern Australian barbecue restaurant Burnt Ends in Teck Lim Road to Bib Gourmand-lauded European restaurant Bar-Roque Grill in Tanjong Pagar. We doubt the duo will join the queue at Man Man Unagi Restaurant near Keong Saik Road.
Marina Bay Sands
A dazzling and ostentatious aquarobics display takes place at the stunning Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool at night. The head-scratching performance (you never know with rich people) is possibly at one of the many chi-chi events that are sprinkled throughout the film. There are no lack of Michelin-starred eating options in the building. They include two Michelin starred modern Japanese restaurant Waku Ghin, and one Michelin starred steakhouse, CUT By Wolfgang Puck.
Crazy Rich Asians opens in Singapore on Aug 22.
