We hit the pinnacle of culture in 2023, it would seem. The double feature media event has landed and still going strong in theaters. What else is there to look for forward to? As the actors and writers strike, studios keep threatening to pull titles off the fall and winter slate. I hope this is just conjecture in the tabloids, not an actual possibility; finally when things are looking up. August is notorious for being a dump month for the worst fare. Some exceptions have arisen on past years, but the reality is that studios like to keep the options open for autumn. Streaming does offer a respite from the doldrums left to languish in the summer heat. Here is one offering I have watched.
Red, White and Royal Blue is a Prime Video exclusive, a romantic comedy that has taken social media by storm. It was everywhere I looked, so I had to check it out. Based on the novel by Casey McQuiston, this story starts with the presidentâs son Alex going to a wedding in London. There he is reintroduced to Prince Henry whom he knew from past encounters. They seem to loathe each other and that simmering turns into a boil when an accident gets splashed on the front page of every newspaper. And both Alex and Henry are made to play nice to keep up appearances.
A formula it is, but one that continues to work. This is Pride and Prejudice, It Happened One Night, Youâre Got Mail, etc. Taylor Zahker Perez and Nicholas Galitzine have great chemistry together. If it wasnât for these deft performances, this would probably not work. Director Matthew Lopez is not a completely-skilled craftsman. Nothing is this film is particularly eye-catching, save for a few romantic scenes, mostly helped through good lighting and cinematography. For the first twenty minutes, we are flitting from one scene to the next like the POV has ADD, something that was used it one of the producerâs other projects, Love Simon.
Greg Berlanti has made a name in the genre of superhero and teen romance. The CW and DC universe should be bowing to him for every hit he has given them. In film, however, he is lacking in many ways. This is certainly a step up from previous efforts. Again, I think it is the more mature material, afforded from streaming to be less chaste.
With a supporting cast that is top notch, Uma Thurman as the prez herself, and Clifton Collins Jr as the first man, are great. Only wished we got more of them. There is this pall put over every scene when Henry mentions his grandfather. Leading to the climax, we see him played by queer actor Stephen Fry which should elicit a chuckle for those knowledgeable about his film career.
There were a couple truly memorable scenes, breathtaking ones. Not the ones one might think, there is one where Alex and Henry are in robes eating ice cream and discussing interests. Alex asks Henry what his favorite movie was. When Henry tells him, I was hoping for some payoff later with it. It takes up a good part of the conversation in which Henry accuses Alex of being an uncultured American. But I also happen to love the film he mentioned, a romance film that I even discussed in a review this year. Maybe a scene when they were forced apart, when Alex is at his lowest when he pops a Blu-ray in. Maybe they couldnât secure the rights.
Another scene comes later when Alex goes to see Henry in London after they stop speaking. Henry takes Alex to one of his favorite places and says how he wished one day that he would bring the man he loved here. Alex pulls out his iPhone and turns on a haunting rendition of âCanât Help Falling In Love with Youâ and they begin to dance. This is what we are missing at the theaters now. Studios, put out movies that move us and give us emotions. That is where you will enrapture us and get us to come back for more.
