Red, White, & Royal Blue
an LGBT rom-com: predictable but not without merit
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via Amazon Studio
via Amazon Studio
Rom coms are tricky. Some people love it while others loathe it. Admittedly, I am not typically a fan. However, after being bombarded with the trailer for the new Amazon film, Red, White, & Royal Blue, I finally caved in and watched it. Adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston, the film tells the story of the fictional first son of the United States, Alex, who falls in love with the prince of England, Henry and the fallout of this LGBT romance.
The film's strength lies in its ability to lead the viewer down a very familiar path while still keeping them entertained. The lead actors Taylor Zakhar Perez (Alex) and Nicholas Galitzine (Henry) did their best with the materials they were given. While the representation of LGBT romance is certainly much needed and much appreciated, the story lacks nuance and depth. The film touches on deep and important issues such as public figures' rights to privacy and our acceptance of queerness and homosexuality as a society, but it doesn't investigate these issues in any significant way. Had there been more efforts made to exploreIt these themes, it would have added some real substance and gravitas to their relationship.
Another aspect of the film that I found lacking was the absence of any real conflict in Alex and Henry's private relationship. While the story focuses on the societal expectations that they must face together, the film misses an opportunity to develop the relationship further. There is no real arc as far as their feelings for each other, other than the brief "enemies to lovers" trope explored at the beginning of the film. This lack of development means that the audience has little to invest in aside from the predictable outcome.
However, despite its flaws, I must commend Taylor Zakhar Perez's performance, which was the highlight of the film. It brings a much-needed breath of fresh air to a story that could easy wonder into the territory of contrivance.
Red, White, & Royal Blue is a predictable romantic film that doesn't stray too far from its genre's tropes. While it touches on some deep and important issues, it doesn't explore them in enough depth to make a lasting impression. However, the film's strength lies in its ability to keep the viewer entertained while following a familiar path. Taylor Zakhar Perez's performance redeems the film, bringing a fun and refreshing energy to the story. So, while it may not be the most groundbreaking romantic comedy of all time, Red, White, & Royal Blue is still an entertaining watch that has its own surprising merits.
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via Amazon Studio
