The Disappointing Tale of Red, White & Royal Blue

The Predictability and Clichés of “Red, White & Royal Blue”

Casey McQuiston’s hit 2019 LGBTQ+ romance novel, “Red, White & Royal Blue,” has been adapted into an Amazon Prime video series and unfortunately, according to Louis Staples, the result is disappointingly predictable and clichéd. In his recent review for BBC Culture, Staples argues that the film fails to deliver the charm and creativity that the best romantic comedies are known for.

A Familiar Formula

The most successful romantic comedies have a unique ability to make us suspend our beliefs and embrace unrealistic and implausible scenarios. “Red, White & Royal Blue” attempts to do just that by introducing us to a fictional British royal family and a fictionalized version of the first female president of the United States. The story revolves around Alex, the “first son” of the US president, and prince Henry, the brother of the heir to the British throne, as they navigate their complicated relationship.

Staples criticizes the film’s adherence to tired stereotypes, with British characters being portrayed as uptight and Americans as loud and obnoxious. He argues that even within the formulaic genre of romantic comedies, “Red, White & Royal Blue” brings very little that feels unexpected or fresh.

The Debate of LGBTQ+ Representation in Romcoms

The rise of LGBTQ+ representation in romantic comedies has sparked a discussion about the kind of stories queer audiences want to see on screen. Staples acknowledges that there is skepticism surrounding mainstream films featuring LGBTQ+ characters, with some believing they are primarily made for straight audiences. In contrast, certain queer romcoms, such as Billy Eichner’s “Bros,” have been seen as missed opportunities to truly innovate within the genre.

From the outset, it becomes evident that “Red, White & Royal Blue” is not aiming to revolutionize queer storytelling. While the characters grapple with the experience of coming out, their circumstances are highly privileged and specific, making it impractical to expect them to represent the wider queer community.

Lost in Political and Royal Details

Unfortunately, the film loses its sense of fun when it delves too deeply into the specifics of Anglo-American relations and fictionalized royalty. Staples points out that even acclaimed TV shows like “Succession” and “House of Cards” have struggled to captivate audiences in a political landscape without major real-life figures. The attempt to draw parallels to the real-life drama surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit feels forced and contributes to a decline in the quality of dialogue among the British characters in the film.

Staples also criticizes the film’s overly long runtime and the script’s lackluster quality, likening it to conversations with ChatGPT. However, he does note that there are moments of entertainment in the film when it embraces its more eccentric aspects. The small surprising exchanges, such as Alex coming out to his mother in the Oval Office, offer glimpses of humor and charm that could have been further explored.

A Missed Opportunity

One of the missed opportunities in “Red, White & Royal Blue” is the exploration of the differences between Alex’s bisexuality and Henry’s homosexuality, and how these identities shape their relationship. Staples suggests that delving deeper into these nuances could have provided interesting and even humorous avenues for storytelling.

The Ambiguous Middle Ground

“Red, White & Royal Blue” finds itself in an uncomfortable middle ground, according to Staples. It lacks the charm and wit necessary to be considered a classic romcom or to generate significant cultural conversation, and yet it also falls short of being hilariously bad like a Hallmark movie or some of Netflix’s more lighthearted films.

A Lack of Astute Observations

Beyond the surface-level progressive messages, “Red, White & Royal Blue” lacks insightful observations about romance, privilege, or LGBTQ+ experiences. Staples argues that the film fails to say anything interesting about relationships, relying instead on lazy clichés.

Managing Expectations

Ultimately, whether or not someone enjoys “Red, White & Royal Blue” will depend on their expectations. If one is looking for a visually appealing film featuring attractive characters, it may satisfy those desires. However, if one is seeking a romcom that is genuinely funny and thought-provoking, they may be left feeling disappointed.

Staples concludes his review with a two-star rating for “Red, White & Royal Blue,” suggesting that it offers only minimal entertainment value without bringing anything substantial or memorable to the genre.