The Red, White & Royal Blue movie, based on Casey McQuiston’s novel of the same name, is easily one of the most anticipated releases of 2023. It airs on August 11 on Amazon Prime Video.
I have loved Red, White & Royal Blue since I first read it back in early 2021 (yes, I was late to the party), and I’ve been looking forward to the movie adaptation ever since the announcement. Just like everybody else, I’ve been eating up all the news. I’ve watched the trailer and teasers religiously, and I have opinions.
There are three parts to this review. In part 1, you’ll find my review of the book. In part 2, I’ve outlined my initial thoughts, feelings, and impressions of the movie based on the trailer and cast list. After the movie becomes available, I will add part 3, comparing and contrasting the book and movie. I’ll focus on overall feels, go over any book scenes that were left out, and gush over brilliant movie scenes that aren’t in the book.
A bit of housekeeping… I normally keep my reviews spoiler-free, but in order to thoroughly dissect the book and movie, I need the freedom to discuss all aspects. So consider this your warning: there will be some spoilers. Also, I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program, so any links to Amazon are affiliate links. As such, if you make a purchase through one of my links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Let’s dive in!
Jump to Part 2: RWRB Movie Speculation
Jump to Part 3: RWRB Book vs Movie Review and Analysis
Part 1: Book Review — Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
🥭🥭🥭🥭.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Single POV, third limited, present tense
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MM Romance
Tropes/Themes: Enemies/Rivals to Lovers, Fake Friendship, Secret Relationship, Opposites Attract, Long Distance Relationship, Texts and Emails, Politics, Coming of Age/Being True to Yourself, Buttercream Fiasco
Locations: Various locations throughout the US, and London, UK
Synopsis:
When the ongoing rivalry between the US First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz and UK Prince Henry becomes tabloid fodder, threatening US-UK relations and the President’s bid for re-election, the pair must fake a friendship for the cameras. What they don’t expect is to catch feelings. But this is one secret relationship where exposure will be explosive, the fallout guaranteed to damage both sides.
He thinks about Henry, and something twists in his chest, like a stretch he’s been avoiding for too long.
My Review:
This was a reread for me, and I loved it even more the second time around. The first time I read RWRB, I gave it 4 mangoes. My overall opinion was that while I loved the romance between Alex and Henry, the politics overshadowed the romantic relationship. Upon the reread, my opinion has changed. I’m increasing my rating to 4.5 mangoes, and I think the politics are well-balanced. It is a political book, that’s the entire backdrop, and as the protagonist is the first son of the US, naturally we get more of the US politics than the UK. My favorite thing about the book is Alex’s voice. It’s written so well. I loved his confusion with his sexuality, his frenetic energy, and how once he makes a decision, he goes for it. This is contrasted beautifully with Henry’s more reserved demeanor, and it’s a joy to watch him open up as Alex gets under his skin.
One of my all-time favorite parts is Princess Bea’s description of Henry’s grief, likening it to a pie crust, ripping through the bottom layer and creating a chasm below. The way she describes it to Alex is so poignant and moving.
My main complaint remains the same, the final scene challenges my ability to suspend disbelief. It’s a cute scene that wraps everything up nicely, but IMO there’s no way Henry could sneak off (in a foreign country no less) without his guards noticing. I also would have loved it if the loose ends of June and Pez’s attraction had been addressed.
Red, White & Royal Blue novel by Casey McQuiston (2019)
Scenes I Hope Make It into the Movie
I wrote this list from memory and then added to it during my reread (the ones with an asterisk are ones I know are there based on the trailer and teasers).
- The cake disaster*
- Alex thinks his bed selfies are hilarious and doesn’t understand why Henry doesn’t reply to them (aka Alex being an oblivious bi disaster)
- Stuck in the closet at the hospital*
- The late-night phone call with the turkeys
- Henry losing it and kissing Alex in the snow*
- Alex’s phone call with an irritated Liam as he figures out his sexuality
- Alex and Nora’s conversation about his sexuality (*ish)
- That famous second kiss: Alex accosts Henry in the Red Room after Henry ghosts him (*hinted at)
- Post-polo match in the tack room (where Henry puts his kneepads to good use)
- That cupcake scene (you know the one)
- Karaoke*
- Zahra discovers them at the hotel*
- Ellen’s PowerPoint presentation about Alex’s relationship
- Alex’s cottage, and the swimming/dock scene*
- The kiss in the limo that gets photographed
- Alex’s big gesture (coming to the UK to yell at Henry, him asking Henry to tell him to leave)
- Alex wakes up alone in Henry’s bed and thinks he’s gone, but then he sees Henry’s ring
- Henry takes Alex to the museum after hours*
- Henry gives Alex his signet ring at the airport (a thousand percent sure/I fucking love you)
- Alex and Bea’s conversation about grief and how Alex can support Henry
- The romantic subplot between Zahra and Shaan
Part 2: Speculation about the Red, White & Royal Blue Movie (2023)
In order to watch the Red, White & Royal Blue movie, you’ll need a subscription to Amazon Prime.
Initial Impressions Based on the Trailer and Casting Credits
Cast
Overall, I think they’ve done a really great job with the cast. I’m seeing lots of diversity (as is the case within the novel). I love that Uma Thurman is Madam President, and I think she’s nailed that thick Southern accent. But I will admit, I initially had my doubts about the casting of the main pairing.
Alex and Henry
When I first saw the headshots of Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, I’m not gonna lie, I had reservations. They’re both gorgeous, but I wasn’t convinced. At the start of the book, Alex is 21 and Henry is 22. At the time of filming our Henry, Nicholas Galitzine, was 27 (and looks about 25), so close enough, I gave him a pass. But Taylor Zakhar Perez was 30 and in his picture looks like a successful businessman in his early-30s. So much of the story hinges on Alex graduating from university and figuring out where he wants to be in life; what he thinks he wants and vs what he really needs. My primary concern was reconciling this idea of someone who still lives at home and is just starting to make a name for themselves in the world vs someone who looks older and more established. I wasn’t sure if the casting was going to be believable.
But upon watching the trailer and teaser reels on Instagram, I’ve concluded they made the right choice. Nicholas and Taylor have excellent chemistry, and Taylor has youthful energy. I also really love that like Alex, Taylor has Mexican ancestry. If this film was made fifteen years ago, I’m sure the role would have been whitewashed and given to Freddie Prinze Jr or Jake Gyllenhaal. Nothing against them, but I love seeing representation.
The final test: when I read a book, I imagine the characters in my head. I’m not someone who thinks of the actors. But lo-and-behold, when I reread Red, White & Royal Blue, guess who I kept imagining as Alex and Henry? Yep, Taylor and Nicholas.
I am obsessed with this teaser. Drunk Alex is hilarious, and I LOVE the end scene in the hotel room.
Pre-Movie Observations: Differences Between the Book and the Movie
No movie adaptation is going to be perfect. It’s impossible to capture every moment of a 100k novel and shoehorn it into a two-hour film. The best we can ever hope for is to capture the essence of the source material and ensure the standout moments are there. Based on the trailer and the cast list at IMDB, I’ve made some observations and have theories about what may or may not be in the movie.
Alex is an only child
There is no casting credit for June Claremont-Diaz. I can only assume they have cut her role and made Alex an only child. I get why they went this route (to keep the focus on Alex and Henry), but I admit I’m a bit sad. Alex and June’s relationship is wonderful; she’s his voice of reason.
No Rafael Luna subplot — unless…
There is no casting credit for Rafael Luna, so it looks like they’ve cut that entire subplot. I’m curious how this will play out. Luna was Alex’s role model, and his fall from grace was a tremendous blow to Alex (and the main reason Henry came looking for Alex at the hotel crawling with reporters).
But there’s a character called Miguel Ramos in the IMDB cast credits, and there’s no Miguel in the novel, so now I’m wondering if this is the movie equivalent of Rafael Luna.
No Leo
Unsurprisingly, it looks like they’ve canceled Ellen’s second husband, Leo. This is likely to keep the focus on Alex’s father, Senator Oscar Diaz.
King James III instead of Queen Mary
I’m a bit baffled by this one. In the novel, the head of the royal family is Queen Mary. But in the film, we have King James III. I don’t see why they made this change. I suppose they altered this to reflect that we currently have a king rather than a queen, but the novel is set in 2020, and Queen Elizabeth II was still alive then, so, IDK…
No Princess Catharine
I don’t see a casting credit for Princess Catharine. A big part of Henry’s story is losing his famous actor father. As a result, his mother shuts down and disappears from her children’s lives, which augments their grief. It looks as though they’re going to handle this differently in the movie.
No Liam
Unless he’s such a small character he hasn’t been listed at the IMDB, it doesn’t appear as though Liam and his boyfriend Spencer will make it into the film. I loved Alex’s interactions with Liam, especially the phone call when Alex is confused about his sexuality and is trying to parse the events of his teenage years. So, I really hope we still get this in the movie.
Casey McQuiston Cameo
It looks like author Casey McQuiston gets a cameo in the film as Ellen’s speechwriter.
Part 3: Red, White & Royal Blue Movie (and comparison to the novel)
Okay, I’m still buzzing with excitement…
The Red, White & Royal Blue movie captures the vibe of the book while adding in some flair of its own. It’s a streamlined adaptation guaranteed to put a smile on your face and make you believe love conquers all.
Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez give the performance of a lifetime. They are endearing and cheeky, play off one another beautifully, and their banter is top-notch. Their intimate moments are soulful, and their acting is so good it left me thoroughly convinced they were a couple in love.
The book is a more complex story, with a larger cast of characters. It delves more deeply into issues such as Henry’s grief, Bea’s addiction, and Alex’s anxiety, sexuality, and life direction. The movie keeps it simple but packs a punch, keeping laser-focused on Alex and Henry the whole time. It’s less angsty, with humor at the forefront.
Initially, I felt like things progressed too quickly, and the enemies-to-lovers portion of the movie was brief. But upon comparing the key beats, I can’t complain. I think they did an excellent job packing as much as they could into the movie while keeping it fast-paced and entertaining.
First Kiss: Book = 25%, Movie = 27%
Red Room Kiss: Book = 30%, Movie = 33%
First Time: Book = 46%, Movie = 42%
Dock Scene: Book = 60%, Movie = 64%
Key Differences Between the Book and Movie
To compress everything into two hours, subplots and characters were eliminated or changed.
Alex and Henry
Alex and Henry are aged up. While their ages aren’t specifically mentioned, Alex is in law school rather than finishing up his undergraduate degree.
Movie Alex is less fiery than novel Alex. In the movie, we get more of the charming boy-next-door Alex that everyone loves versus the novel spitfire who, according to his sister June, has “a fire under his ass for no good reason.”
Movie Henry is more open and picks fights with Alex readily. He doesn’t wait to be goaded by Alex; he gets in there.
Nora and June’s Roles Smushed Together
As I suspected, Alex is an only child. Nora fulfills both roles as his confidant and his voice of reason. And Percy, Henry’s best friend, fancies Nora instead. I think this change makes good sense.
Alex’s Sexuality
In the novel, Alex spends a good amount of time grappling with his sexuality. He’s convinced he’s straight, and yet he can’t stop thinking about Henry’s kiss. This all comes to a head with the pivotal scene between Nora and Alex, where Alex’s hypothetical scenarios become less hypothetical, and Nora drops some truth bombs.
In the movie, Alex is a little less oblivious, having been with two guys before. But he’s still not ready to admit what that means. While I enjoyed his moments with Nora, I think their interactions are more impactful in the novel. But I enjoyed the humor in the movie, as well as the great one-liners:
Nora: Did you like the kiss?
Alex: He grabbed my hair in a way that made me understand the difference between rugby and football.
Ellen and Oscar Still Married
While in the book, Ellen and Oscar Diaz are divorced and at each other’s throats (which drives Alex to call Henry and forces them closer together), they are happily married in the movie. It’s different, but it’s a nice change that contributes to Alex being more put-together and less anxiety-ridden.
Rafael Luna and Liam’s Roles Eliminated, Smushed Together into Reporter Miguel Ramos
I love how they handled this change. By eliminating two subplots (Luna’s and the Richards’ campaign following Alex) and creating a jilted love interest, they tidily moved the plot forward. This is a bold deviation from the novel, and I like it.
Henry’s Emails are Hacked
In the novel, it’s Alex’s emails that are hacked, and this leads to political fallout that almost costs his mother the election. By having Henry’s emails leaked, it removed the politics and keeps the focus on Alex and Henry and how the hacker violated their right to privacy.
Standout Moments
The Cake Fiasco
OMG. The £75,000 cake is larger than life and the scene is drawn out beautifully. It’s as though we are privy to two trains hurtling together; you can’t stop it and can’t look away. (And I loved the small bit after the credits too).
Post CakeGate Press Appearances
While mentioned in the book, we get an upfront and personal view of Alex and Henry’s damage control appearances, and they are hilarious. Initially awkward, they push each other’s buttons in an entertaining way.
Text Messages
I wasn’t sure how they would handle this in the movie, but I’ve got to say I loved it. While the chat bubbles pop up on the screen, Henry materializes on Alex’s bed and it’s as though they are chatting in person while miles away.
NYE Party and Post-Party Kiss
This was everything I wanted it to be, and more. The NYE party was fantastic, and I adored Henry’s awkwardness on the dancefloor, coupled with Alex’s attempts to draw him out of his comfort zone. Despite all the action on the dancefloor—writhing bodies, beautiful women throwing themselves at Alex—Alex only has eyes for Henry. And the scene in the snow…perfect!
The Red Room
It was quick, but it happened and I’m so glad (this was a must-have scene). The banter afterward was hilarious. Their relationship quickly progresses after the Red Room. It’s organic, full of beauty, humor, and tenderness.
Their First Time
I wasn’t sure if this scene was going to be fade-to-black or just implied, but they tackled it head-on, giving it the weight it deserves. It’s tender and emotional, Alex and Henry stare soulfully into one another’s eyes while clasping hands, and I couldn’t be happier with it.
The Swimming / Dock Scene
In the book, Alex’s near-love-confession happens at nighttime with fireflies all around. In the movie, it’s during the day. While I loved the nighttime swim, I can’t be mad about the daytime scene. It’s intense. You can feel the tension between them—Alex’s heart is so full and he’s doing his best to articulate how he feels, and Henry is so conflicted. He loves Alex but knows they can never be together. And that part when he’s underwater… so powerful.
Alex and Henry, United
I loved how supportive Alex and Henry are of one another, and the united front they presented to the king. And their kiss in front of the throngs of supporters outside Buckingham Palace… gorgeous!
A few more scenes:
- The turkey! We got the turkey scene!
- The tack room! I’m pleasantly shocked we got that scene. It’s quick but captures their passion and desire (and completely makes up for the lack of cupcake scene).
- We didn’t get a PowerPoint presentation, but Ellen mentions wishing she could have made one, and the way she thoroughly embarrasses Alex with the safe sex speech completely makes up for it.
- Shaan and Zahra! I was convinced they cut that subplot and was ready to whinge about it. But they snuck it in, and I’m thrilled.
Final Thoughts:
All in all, I’m overjoyed with the movie. It’s true to the novel for many big-ticket scenes while altering other aspects to streamline the story, keep it flowing, and keep the attention on Alex and Henry’s romance. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect Alex and Henry than Taylor and Nicholas. I think they knocked it out of the park.
Overall Rating: A+
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