Susan Granger’s review of “Red, White and Royal Blue” (Amazon Studios)
Romantic comedies are always popular – yet, in recent years, they’ve been hard to find. Now, “Red, White and Royal Blue” gives a charming contemporary twist to the classic ‘flirty meet-cute, quarrel and happily-ever-after’ formula.
This time, the traditional ‘special diplomatic relationship’ between England and America is challenged when Alex Clarmont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), son of U.S. President Ellen Clarmont (Uma Thurman) and Texas Congressman Oscar Diaz (Clifton Collins Jr.), is dispatched to escort Nora (Rachel Hilson), the U.S. Vice-President’s granddaughter, to the Prince of Wales’ (Thomas Flynn) wedding in London.
What particularly irks ambitious Alex is the attitude of pompous superiority assumed by the groom’s younger brother, Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine). Inevitably- and predictably – they get into a scandalous scuffle at the nuptial reception, causing a very embarrassing confectionary incident, a photo-op that’s dubbed Cakegate.
So America’s political heir and England’s ‘spare’ must find a way to settle their differences. As it turns out, Alex is bisexual and Henry is gay, although neither of their famous families is aware of this. Not surprisingly, their romantic relationship romp leads to the kind of palatial tryst that the public is not often privy to.
Adapting Casey McQuiston’s 2019 best-seller, writer/ director Matthew Lopez – sharing screenwriting credit with Ted Malawer – tackles the LGBTQ+ issue with cheeky sensitivity and light-hearted amusement, despite the film’s R rating.
And within the antagonistic jests, there’s something meaningful and touching about this wish-fulfillment fantasy: “I hope this film helps anybody who is struggling with figuring out who they are,” Nicholas Galitzine told People magazine.
FYI: Novelist Casey McQuinton does a cameo as a speechwriter typing on a laptop in the scene where President Ellen Claremont is preparing her election-night remarks with her assistant Zahra Blankston (Sarah Shahi). And, ironically, the homophobic King is played by openly gay actor Stephen Fry.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Red, White and Royal Blue” is a snappy slapstick yet sweetly sappy 7, streaming on Prime.
