Red, White & Royal Blue *** (2023, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Uma Thurman, Stephen Fry, Clifton Collins Jr, Sarah Shahi, Rachel Hilson) – Classic Movie Review 12,606

Red, White & Royal Blue is a super-fun 2023 American gay romantic comedy film, starring Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine as the US President’s son and a British prince who fall in love.

It’s an entertaining and endearing fairy tale, quite direct and raunchy in places, with a lot of wit in the script, as well as some well-aimed home truths. The film is definitely on the side of the gays and the Democrats, and inclusion and positivity, as well as of the necessity of voting and the need for a change in UK royalty (‘It’s all so silly, isn’t? The idea of royalty in the 21st century, it’s, it’s so, antiquated’). It’s strongly against the invasions into privacy by the sensationalist, intrusive media, and it’s also strongly against enforced hostile outing and so pro personal choice. It makes its points quite clearly but hides them successfully in well written dialogue.

Taylor Zakhar Perez plays the US President’s son Alex Claremont-Diaz, who visits the UK for a royal wedding and has a altercation with British prince Henry. After a bad start, the two become close and eventually fall in love. That’s it really.

Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine are both charming, giving the kind of captivating performances that make their casting understandable and credible. They are the whole show, though Thurman gets a slight look-in as Ellen Claremont, the first female US President who is running for re-election, and so do Stephen Fry as King James III, Clifton Collins Jr as Alex’s father Congressman Oscar Diaz, Sarah Shahi as Ellen’s assistant Zahra Bankston, and Rachel Hilson as Alex’s best friend Nora Holleran.

OK perhaps it gets a bit daft, but it remains thoroughly likeable and enjoyable. It’ s a romcom, it doesn’t have to be credible! It’s very soppy and sentimental, and very romantic, oh and, yes, thoroughly amusing. Above all, perhaps, Alex and Henry come over as good role models, and not as rancid stereotypes. Thanks, guys!

It is directed by Matthew Lopez in his feature film directorial debut, and he co-writes the screenplay with Ted Malawer, based on the 2019 novel Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

Drum & Lace compose the score. There is an excellent soundtrack with songs by Vagabon (including the lovely ‘If I Loved You’ from the musical Carousel) and Oliver Sim.

Greek-British actor and singer Nicholas Galitzine.

Perhaps ironically then, Nicholas Galitzine found himself talking sex scenes and confirming his sexuality as straight while discussing his role on Red, White & Royal Blue in an interview with Variety on 11 August 2023.

It was shot in England from June 2022 to August 2022. It had its world premiere at the BFI IMAX in London on 22 July 2023, and was released on Amazon Prime Video on 11 August 2023. Sadly, but correctly, the actors did not attend the world premiere because of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

It is rated R for some sexual content, partial nudity and language.

Alex is seen reading Casey McQuiston’s second novel One Last Stop.

Taylor Zakhar Perez.

Taylor Zakhar Perez was born on 24 December 1991.

Greek-British actor and singer Nicholas Galitzine was born on 29 September 1994.

Matthew Lopez (born on 24 March 1977 in Panama City, Florida) is the first Latino writer to win the Tony Award for Best Play (The Inheritance).

Alex: ‘You’re gonna stay at least 500 feet away from me for the rest of the night.’ Henry: ‘Sensible plan.’ Alex: ‘Then at midnight, you’re gonna come to my room on the second floor of the residence where I’m going to do some very bad things to you.’

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,606

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