Red, White & Royal Blue Nails Alex and Henry’s Love Story

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Red, White & Royal Blue does a good job of adapting the novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston. The film does justice to Alex and Henry’s love story, so everyone on camera and behind the scenes should feel proud of what they have accomplished.

Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine are perfectly cast as Alex and Henry, respectively, and clearly understand both their characters and their romance so well. It’s funny to think about how panicked we were that there wouldn’t be any chemistry between Zakhar Perez and Galitzine.

In the book, Alex and Henry’s relationship is developed through their communications via email. It’s how get to know and fall in love with them; it is such a vital part of their love story.

While we don’t read nearly as many emails/texts in the film, they are still a part of Alex and Henry’s love story.

Red, White & Royal Blue does a good job at adapting those moments and making them engaging and adorable. Admittedly, it does take a minute to realize Alex and Henry aren’t actually in the same place, but it is a cool way to show them becoming close despite being an ocean away.

As with any adaptation, there are some things that don’t quite work. One of them is the big fight between Alex and Henry where Henry abruptly leaves and thinks that is the same as breaking up with a person.

The reason for their fight isn’t developed enough to work on that magnitude — Henry’s belief that he cannot be in a public relationship.

We’ve heard him talk about his fears and concerns about if his private life ever became public, but we never see any moments that allow us to understand that it’s truly his reality until after the fight when the emails are leaked.

Something that would’ve helped is if we spent more time with Henry in England when he’s not with Alex. Alex’s life outside of their romance is a big focus of the film, as the secondary storyline is the President’s re-election campaign and Alex’s role in it.

But Henry doesn’t get the same “main character” treatment. It’s only after the fight that we spend time with just Henry and his family, which is a shame. It would’ve allowed us to get to know him (and fall in love with him) even more.

There’s always something from the book that doesn’t make it into the adaptation that is a little sad, and Red, White & Royal Blue does cut things out for the sake of time — Alex’s sister, June, for instance.

One aspect I wish we would’ve gotten to see more of in the film is the public’s reaction to Alex and Henry’s emails.

It’s a more significant moment in the book, and it shows both characters how much the world has rallied around them and fallen in love with their romance.

Unfortunately, in the film, all we get is a scene where Alex, Henry, and Henry’s family learn that there are large crowds gathering outside in various parts of England.

There isn’t even an explicit reason given as to why those crowds are there. It’s not hard to figure it out, but there’s no reason why someone couldn’t have commented on how people are gathering in support.

Seeing how much Henry worries about being accepted by his country for who he truly is, Red, White & Royal Blue misses out on having a really impactful moment.

We see media footage throughout, so it wouldn’t have been weird to see some Twitter posts, TikToks, or even news coverage of people reacting to the emails. I’d even settle for shots of a mural of Alex and Henry going up somewhere.

Overall, Red, White & Royal Blue does right by Alex and Henry with a few minor complaints. It’s a fun film that manages to capture their romance and make us fall in love with both of them (as well as Zahra and Nora).

Stray Thoughts

• Alex reading Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a cute easter egg.
• Why would you want to dance in the museum in between two rows of busts that are just staring at you? It’s creepy.
• I wish the needle drops were better, but Get Low by Lil Jon playing during the New Year’s Eve party is pretty great.
• The entire cast does a fantastic job.

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The screenplay is written by Matthew López and Ted Malawer, and the film is directed by Matthew López.

What did you think of Red, White & Royal Blue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Red, White & Royal Blue is now streaming on Prime Video.

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