Red, White, and Royal Blue - Review: Talk About An International Affair

 

There’s nothing better than getting swept up in a new romance, and the latest young adult novel-turned-rom-com seems poised to offer just that kind of escapism. Mixed with some political machinations of course. Based on the novel of the same name, “Red, White, and Royal Blue” is Prime Video’s latest original offering and seeks to make viewers swoon as much as its two leads.

The film follows the son of the President of the United States Alex Claremont-Diaz, played by Taylor Zakhar Perez (“The Kissing Booth 2,” “Minx”), as he’s forced to befriend the British Prince Henry, played by Nicholas Galitzine (“Bottoms,” “Cinderella (2021)”), after a mishap at a party. However, despite hating each other at first, the two eventually find themselves smitten and attempt to keep their romance a secret from their parents, their countries, and the world at large.

Perez and Galitzine have fantastic chemistry and both do great work playing into their role and archetypes set up by the conventions of the genre. Alex is the more carefree one of the pair and encourages Henry to open up more, while Henry is sullener and more solum. But writer/director Matthew López and writer Ted Malawer (“Halston”) make sure that, even when it’s adhering to the guidelines of the genre, it’s not just about those guidelines.

There’s a lot of time and effort spent in building up their relationship, and it results in a stronger romance between the two of them. It helps that the script itself is wonderfully witty and gets a lot of mileage out of the concept, in both wordplay and visual gags. There’s a particularly… phallic visual joke involving the Washington Monument that’s just brilliant. The supporting cast is also terrific, whether they’re playing into the film’s more dramatic elements or its comedic. Uma Thurman (“Pulp Fiction,” “Kill Bill: Volume 1”) plays Alex’s mother, Present Ellen Claremont, Stephen Fry (“Gosford Park,” “A Fish Called Wanda”) plays King James III, Henry’s grandfather, and the rest of the cast is peppered with scene stealers. Special shout out to Alex’s best friend, and charm personified, Nora, played by Rachel Hilson (“This Is Us,” “Love, Victor”).

As charming as it all is, the film can’t seem to shake a feeling of trite simplicity that hangs over it. It feels like a more solidly built Hallmark movie, and while there isn’t anything wrong with being that, it does lead to things feeling a bit disposable. It’s not a knock on the performances, the subject material, or the direction. It’s all good but lacks that certain something to set it apart from the swath of other rom-coms releasing on streaming services nowadays. It’s also disappointing that, as well executed as it is, this is yet another gay romance film where a major part of the plot revolves around the pain of coming out and keeping things a secret from family. It does get some wrinkles given the political aspects of it all, but it’s nevertheless a bit tiring.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, “Red, White. and Royal Blue” will absolutely satisfy that craving. Two incredibly charismatic leads with great chemistry are surrounded by a witty script and supporting cast ready to make them shine. It’s almost too cute for its own good, leading to a feeling of slightness with its sheen and well-trodden queer plot elements. But it’s still a fun time and more than worthy of your support. 3.5/5