Louis Staples, in a candid critique, examines Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s 2019 LGBTQ+ romance novel, “Red, White & Royal Blue,” unveiling a narrative that unfortunately leans heavily on predictability and clichés.
Romantic comedies, at their zenith, possess the uncanny ability to shatter our notions of realism and believability, even within the familiar settings we recognize. The allure of such dynamics is evident from the initial moments of “Red, White & Royal Blue,” a movie transposing McQuiston’s celebrated literary work onto the screen. The narrative plunges viewers into an alternate realm featuring a fictional British royal family and casts the spotlight on Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the first female US president, Ellen Claremont (Uma Thurman). The film navigates his journey as he grapples with self-discovery amidst his energetic persona.
The storyline finds its footing when Alex embarks on a diplomatic mission to the UK to attend a royal wedding, reigniting a longstanding rivalry with Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), brother to the heir of the British throne. A disruption during the wedding coerces the adversaries to embark on a joint venture in PR damage control, resulting in unexpected revelations about one another. Unfortunately, the plotline follows a trajectory all too familiar, slipping into the well-worn grooves of the romantic comedy genre.
However, the movie’s downfall begins with its adherence to an aesthetic and tone reminiscent of a grand-scale Hallmark production. Within this framework, the narrative perpetuates stereotypical portrayals—British individuals epitomize uptightness, while Americans come across as boisterous. Regrettably, these tropes continue to echo throughout the film, intertwined with customary montages intrinsic to the genre: ‘exploring newfound connections,’ ‘romantic encounters,’ and the inevitable ‘relationship strains’ montage. Even within the confines of romantic comedies known for their predictability, “Red, White & Royal Blue” disappointingly fails to deliver surprises.
The surge in LGBTQ+ representation in romantic comedies has triggered discourse on the authenticity of queer narratives versus those that grace the silver screen. Critics contend that mainstream films tend to cater predominantly to heterosexual audiences, prompting discussions about the need for more inventive queer storytelling. In this context, “Red, White & Royal Blue” doesn’t attempt to break the mold of LGBTQ+ representation. While it does delve into the characters’ coming-out narratives, their experiences are filtered through specific and privileged circumstances, limiting the extent of their representational impact.
As the film delves into the nuanced complexities of Anglo-American relations, its initial lighthearted allure wanes. The movie struggles to present fictionalized royalty in a politically intricate backdrop, resulting in British characters relegated to shallow, one-dimensional portrayals. Even the inclusion of Stephen Fry as the UK’s fictional king falls short of resuscitating the script’s deficiencies.
The film intermittently offers glimpses of eccentric amusement when it embraces the idiosyncrasies spawned from its unique setting. However, the narrative’s attempts to venture into more profound subplots—such as a jealous gay journalist’s media outing of the couple—feel underdeveloped.
In summation, “Red, White & Royal Blue” finds itself stranded in an awkward middle ground. It fails to embrace the “so bad it’s good” realm occupied by Hallmark movies and simultaneously lacks the depth to be enshrined as a timeless romantic comedy. The movie falls short in its engagement with profound reflections on romance, privilege, and LGBTQ+ representation. Its appeal rests heavily on viewer expectations. For those seeking a film that boasts charismatic protagonists with superficial charm, the movie might just satisfy them. However, if your cinematic desires encompass a rom-com that simultaneously tickles your funny bone and stimulates introspection on relationships, “Red, White & Royal Blue” may regrettably leave you yearning for more.
