Movie Zone
Here I will post movie reviews and recommendations, opinions and updates on the world of film, lists/rankings, and the occasional film essay/analysis if I am feeling brave enough
A review of the romantic comedy that took Amazon Prime by storm. WARNING: REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Released on Amazon Prime July 22 of 2023, Red, White, and Royal Blue is the film adaptation of the rom-com hit novel written by Casey McQuiston and published in 2019. Starring Taylor Zakhar-Perez and Nicholas Galetzine, and directed by Matthew Lopez, the film follows the petty feud between First Son of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz, and Prince Henry of Wales - a feud that quickly blossoms into a secret romance, changing their lives and understanding of themselves and each other… But could also send their public lives and the lives of those around them into chaos. After having read this novel a second time for this merry month of February, I knew I had to finally have the space to fully gush about this movie. And have an excuse to watch it again. This book and film are special in more ways than I can even get into in this review, and the story of Alex and Henry has had an immense impact on many people. And while I will most definitely be talking about the book another day, I am incredibly excited to discuss this wonderful movie and why it has had such a grand heyday. A fairytale romanceThe first thing that needs to be mentioned about why this seemingly run-of-the-mill rom-com resonated so magnificently with such a wide audience is that it is not only one of the incredibly few mainstream depictions of a light hearted, happily ever after LGBT love story, but that it is a depiction of such a positive, healthy romantic relationship in general. While visibility for LGBTQ+ folks in cinema has thankfully been growing, there has been a serious lack of mainstream films with not only Queer people as the main characters, but also getting their share of fluffy, cheesy, fairytale ending rom-coms. While the more not so happy stories of Queer people need to be told and continue to be told, it is important not only for the LGBTQ+ community, but for the world at large to see these positive depictions as well. The amount of unrealistic straight couple rom-coms is utterly staggering, and it is far beyond time that Queer love stories get a share in that limelight. For visibility of course, but also because, damn it, perfectly done cheesy romances just make you feel good! An enemies-to-lovers forbidden romance between the son of a President and a Prince? If that doesn’t scream classic modern fairytale, I don’t know what does. Red, White, and Royal Blue stands out in particular at this moment in time because of the type of relationship that we get to see. There has been a recent trend in popular romance media where the outline (usually involving a mysterious “bad boy” and “quirky girl”) showcases relationships that are… to put it lightly, not quite passing the non-abusive check. I understand stories like those have their audiences. I mean, as a Twilight fan, I know all about the guilty pleasure for technically not-so-healthy romances. But in the onslaught of stories like this, to have such a positive depiction of a romantic relationship is incredibly refreshing, and restores my faith in love once again. And the fact that it is a same-sex relationship, and people have responded so enormously positively to it, just proves that an audience for such romances is present and waiting. TechnicalitiesAlright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. The budget of this movie and overall presentation is definitely Hallmark-quality. There are many moments throughout where the aspiration is a little higher than the money limitations, but… does it matter? The strength of the source material and the genuine love and effort put in by seemingly everyone involved transcends the obvious limited budget to me. It is a Hallmark movie I want to watch (even if I’ve always been more partial to Lifetime). Why this movie works so well for me is the same reason the book works so well. There is that cheese and bubbliness to it that just makes you feel cozy and happy, but it is mixed in with such genuinely well done moments of character and drama. I’ll get more into specifics later on, but one of the strongest things that blew me away with this film adaptation was just how perfectly they captured that blend of silliness and seriousness. It is in over-the-top rom-com territory when it needs to be, and at the perfect level of soberness when it needs to be. This is mostly a transition over the course of the film, where the first half is mostly in comedy mode, and as you go on deeper and deeper into Alex and Henry’s growing relationship, there is a natural tone shift that doesn’t lose that heartwarming-ness, but also allows you to really resonate with these characters and this beautiful connection they have. I believe this balance was achieved with everything from the acting and directing, to the writing and the editing, so bravo to everyone involved. CastingAnd speaking of acting… Whoever made the casting decisions in this movie deserves some kind of award. Both Taylor and Nicholas are such perfect embodiments of Alex and Henry that it really does seem like they were both born to play these roles. Taylor has that natural charm and charisma about him that lends extremely well to Alex’s entirely unhinged, American teen heartthrob role. Meanwhile, Nicholas is able to perfectly capture the guarded and yearning Prince trapped at every turn in a life he doesn’t want. The chemistry between these two is some of the best I’ve seen in recent rom-coms. There’s everything from the fun, bubbly, flirty pretend-hate, to the heart-melting, passionate bond that develops over the course of the film. Even with a far more limited space to tell this story within roughly an hour and fifty minutes rather than a 450 page novel, this film and these actors manage to showcase the beautiful, hilarious, and exciting roller-coaster of Alex and Henry’s relationship that we all fell in love with in the book. As with the general tone of the entire film, both the drama and comedy are balanced brilliantly by both actors. There are so many moments throughout where their expressions say so much and are done so perfectly. Allow me to list some of my personal favorites:
… I could go on. Also, the fact that Taylor is indeed taller than Nicholas, when Henry is supposed to be the one taller than Alex, is just hilarious. And for a last word about casting, I just have to mention Uma Thurman as Alex’s mom, a.k.a, the President of the United States. I think, if any woman were to be the President, it would probably be her. Her over-the-top southern accent is really just perfection for this film. Best momentsThe cake scene is just absolutely glorious to see. It’s hilarious and adorable and iconic, and I really didn’t understand just how badly I needed to see this scene visually after reading the book until I finally watched this movie. The interview scene where Henry and Alex have to scooch closer to each other on the couch is perfection as well. They are both so uncomfortable to be close to each other for entirely different reasons (but also the same reason) and we the audience are the only ones who know it. That’s a common theme throughout the beginning of the book, and this was a great, cute way to visually showcase it in the film. Another great collection of scenes is how they showed the phone conversations. Along with the emails of course, the phone calls between Alex and Henry are very important in developing their relationship, and the way they did it here, with the both of them visually in the same room, was a very sweet way to show how close they are growing, while still showing that distance that is keeping them apart. Speaking of great visual moments… I can’t express how happy it makes me that they got the rights to “Get Low” for the club scene. Such an iconic and important moment in the book deserved its time to shine, and the visual of Alex and Henry gazing at each other across the dance floor of people getting low is both amazingly romantic and hysterical at the same time. I am in love with this scene. The intimacy scenes are also done extremely well. They are hot when they need to be, and romantic when they need to be. The overall direction along with the chemistry of the two actors makes them feel genuine and beautiful to watch. Again, a very important aspect of the story to get right, and I think they nailed it. There is definitely a reason this film was often labeled the “horniest movie of the summer”. And can I gush about how the “gay as a maypole” line made it into the film? I honestly could mention almost every single scene in this movie, because they’re all done so well. Both times Alex epically races across the world to be at Henry’s side are done so fantastically, that it's waterworks for me every time. And by far the best scene in the movie in my opinion, is the museum scene. It is gorgeously shot, beautifully acted, and one of the most romantic things I’ve ever seen. Again, I really didn’t realize how badly I needed to see a visual of Henry and Alex slow dancing in a museum at night until I finally saw it with my own, ugly-crying eyes. And a perfect place to put the “History, huh?” quote. I can’t be sure, but I think Henry might also be wearing Alex’s sweatshirt in this scene, since it looks incredibly similar to a shirt Alex has on earlier in the film, and that just makes it all even better. Differences - the good and the mehObviously there had to be many changes made in order to adapt this story into movie-length. While they have to be speedy because of the movie limitations and cut out a lot of the b-plots from the novel, I am still glad they went with a movie adaptation and not a series. I’m a movie gal at heart, and this was meant to be a feel good, fun little romance movie rather than a more intricate story like the novel. It definitely gives it a different vibe than the book, and that is why I feel like this movie is such a good companion piece with it. The movie, while lacking a lot from the novel, still gives you the Alex and Henry goodness that we all crave. But let's get into some of the standout changes. First, one of the most obvious, there is no June, Alex’s sister in the novel. Nora has somewhat taken the role in the film, and Alex is an only child. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this change. I almost wish they had cut Nora rather than June, and we could have that nice sibling bond between her and Alex. Nora here definitely feels like more of an afterthought character. But it did not largely hinder the film for me. Alex’s parents are not divorced like they are in the book, which I also believe was for time purposes. A scene in this film that I really love is during the lakehouse bit when Alex has a conversation with his dad about Henry. I like how his dad is the one to inspire him to tell Henry how he feels because of the fact that he was not sure if things were meant to be with Alex’s mom once upon a time, but they ended up working out. Definitely a very different type of message than from the book, since Alex is a bit hesitant to commit to a forever relationship because of the fact that his parents divorced. One change I thought was a bit strange was the scene at the children’s hospital. A very important moment in the book is when Alex overhears Henry talking to one of the kids about Star Wars and how much he loves the character of Luke Skywalker. But in the movie, for whatever reason, we do see Henry talking to one of the kids, but it’s muted. I assume this was done for time, but it is unfortunate, since this is a very big moment for Alex to recognize that Henry has a bit more personality that he is keeping hidden away from people. It is also one of the first things Alex can connect with him on, because who doesn’t love Star Wars? Another difference in the hospital scene is Alex’s revelation on why he dislikes Henry. It just feels a bit more trivial here than in the book, and perhaps that’s the point, because it is more of a joking moment than anything. In the book, it is more of a pivotal scene to show Alex’s inner fears and his longing to make a connection, as well as some early-on attraction to Henry. Again, this change doesn’t shatter the movie for me, it just struck me as odd. We also have the addition of the Miguel character here, who acts as a sort of antagonist by being the one to expose Alex and Henry to the world, which came about in an entirely different and more complicated way in the book. He also replaces the character of Liam in the book, who was the first man Alex hooked up with. I’m guessing this was done as an easy way to sum up Alex’s past and put a specific face to the antagonist, rather than it being an entire network of people working for his mother’s opponent in the campaign as it was in the book. I’m neutral on this change, but I do wish there had been a bit more focus on it if they wanted to go in this direction. Maybe a confrontation with Miguel near the end, or just something to close out that storyline, since he does feel like a random character only put there for that specific plot point. I will admit that I love Alex’s coming out to his mom way more in the movie than in the book. Since they changed his mom’s character to being a bit more warm and mom-like here in the film, it’s just a much sweeter scene to me, where she purposefully puts aside her President-hat just to sit down with her son as if they were curled up on the couch in a regular home and having a chat about life. In the book, it’s all about how it will affect their image, and damage control and all of that, which Alex makes a point to acknowledge and also clarify that it doesn’t bother him. But it bothered me. So I’m glad we got this much sweeter moment here between mother and son that makes President Mom feel a bit more human. Something I think was a brilliant move was shifting to Henry’s point of view towards the third act of the film. I love that we get the initial reaction to the public outing of the secret relationship from his point of view. Henry is a very different person than Alex and therefore has a much more outwardly panicked reaction when he realizes he can’t have any contact with the man he loves. I really loved getting to see this from his perspective, as well as some other scenes like moments with him and his sister, Bea. Although, I really could have used some more scenes with David, both here and in the book. And I’m not even a dog person. The last change I want to mention is the key necklace and signet ring. In the book, Alex keeps Henry’s ring on the same chain he has the key to his house back in Austin on, but in the movie, Henry gives him the ring, and Alex gives Henry the key necklace. I didn’t mind this change at all. As much as I absolutely melt over Alex keeping the two items close to his heart as “two homes, side by side”, I melted just as much at how it was done here in the film. I’m not exactly sure what the reason for this change was, but having them each have a piece of each other during the most unsure and scary time in their relationship, is one of the most romantic things ever. Oh… and they changed the Queen to a King. Maybe because they were able to get Stephen Fry? Alex + Henry: couple of the yearWhere do I even begin? There is so much to love about these two, who have long cemented their place as my favorite movie couple of 2023 (and I had Ariel and Eric up there for a while). Something I love about them is that, while Alex definitely enjoys his limelight lifestyle a thousand times more than Henry can enjoy his, it is Alex’s passion for being a symbol of hope for people like him that inspires Henry to find the courage to take control of his own life and do what gives him that same feeling of joy. One interesting concept is how Henry does not want to leave his life of royalty only to delve into the life of politics that Alex wants to lead. It is one of the best lines in the film and the book when he explains that he loves Alex and wants every part of him good and bad, but is not in love with the kind of life Alex wants. An absolutely powerful and beautiful message that is terrifying to think about. As much as you can love someone and want to be with them, there is always the chance that the lifestyles and pursuits you are also in love with will not line up. This is resolved a bit more clearly in the book with Henry taking the steps to pursue the things he wants to do with his life so that he can have his own things going on and still be with the man he loves, but I wish it could be explored even more, especially here in the film. It feels like it is sort of forgotten about and Henry is suddenly fine with the political lifestyle Alex has. It would have been nice to have this addressed more directly, since it is an important factor of their relationship. I love how a theme with Alex’s character is that, though he always means well, he is so within his own head and what his immediate needs are, that he can forget to see beyond himself with the people around him. It is Henry making it clear to him that he has his own fears and struggles, and can not always be at the same place that Alex is at, that helps Alex to open his eyes to Henry’s needs and mindset. At the same time, Henry can often be too reserved and afraid to take the leap, which Alex is always more than willing to take for the both of them. It is a classic, lovely balance that we all love to see. There is a line in this film that I don’t remember being in the book, where Alex says that he feels there is a rope attached to his chest that keeps pulling him towards Henry. And as an extreme Jane Eyre fan, I got the reference, and as someone who has Jane Eyre in one of their absolute favorite romance stories of all time, I adored the reference. Although Henry randomly swimming away right after that while Alex stands staring after him looking like a lost Ken doll was hysterical. Also… the concept of a third act breakup is consistently pummeled and destroyed by Alex Claremont-Diaz, and that is why he is the best. The third act breakup does not exist because this man says so, and I hope and pray this is a trend that catches. The future?As hoards of us RWARB fans demand a blu-ray release of this movie, I get the feeling the studio is afraid to take that step because they know they’d go out of stock immediately. But seriously… release this film on blu-ray please. Do not let physical media die.
This book is so amazingly good that it demanded this movie, and now this movie is so perfect that it demands a sequel. I know it is very possible we will be getting a sequel to the book, and I have faith in the author that they will make it just as inspiringly joyful as the first one with a continued journey of this beautiful romance. And I know the filmmakers can match that with another movie, even if they have sort of cemented their own alternate version of the story. It doesn’t matter to me. I want a sequel to both. We’re all ready. I could probably go on for another ten or twenty paragraphs, but this review is probably the longest I’ve done so far. This film was one of my top movies of the year in a year already full of absolutely fantastic films. It and the book mean more to me than I could ever describe or really put into words if I even had the time. I can already tell that Alex and Henry are going to remain an important staple in my fictional romance-obsessed life. I am talking right up there with Reylo. And that’s serious. This movie is basically a summary of everything I usually ever ask of a film: happiness, romance, escapism, and a fairytale ending.
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AuthorCertified non-professional who just enjoys giving her random thoughts on movies and books. Archives
June 2024
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