Wordplay or Screenplay?

A review of Red, White and Royal Blue

Though no book-to-movie adaptation can please the readers, Red, White & Royal Blue was an amazingggg 1 hour and 58-minute movie. Directed by Matthew Lopez and adapted from the book Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, it centres on the character of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and his relationship with Prince Henry, a British prince.

Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry were the perfect fit for their respective roles. The book is written from Alex’s point of view, focusing on him figuring out his sexual orientation and his journey as the First Son. Though the movie does capture glimpses of it, it does not seem one-sided; it's more about two people and their worlds colliding.

The most noticeable change that "takes the cake" (if you know, you know) is the absence of Alex's sister June from the movie. Alex, June, and Nora were known as the "White House Trio", together through thick and thin. Even though her entry was highly anticipated, the fact that the character was not included in the film was quite shocking.

Prince Henry's sister Bea has also been given less significance. In the book she played a big role as a supportive elder sister, helping Alex and Henry with their relationship. She also had a complicated past with her addiction to cocaine, which was briefly mentioned by Henry in his mails to Alex.

Though a well-cast film, it did have its fair share of problems. But ultimately, when it comes to book-to-movie adaptations, each chapter is packed with details and depth that would stretch a movie into a marathon. So, filmmakers have to pick the juiciest bits and fit it all into a two-hour rollercoaster.

All in all, if you have read the book you might feel that the film moves at a pace of 60km/hr, but just like the book, it is a happy, heartwarming, and heartbreaking watch all at once. So definitely a must-watch for all book lovers, though you don’t need to read the book to enjoy the movie (but always read the book first ;p).