And hooray romance: there have been more and more romance adaptations lately, so more to watch and discuss!
Seriously, moment of earnestness: I love watching folks get excited for a film that’s based on a book. It’s so hard to translate print to film in a way that works effortlessly, and seeing people online being extremely gleeful that the film is out (to say nothing of the gifsets on Tumblr, my goodness).
Thar be SPOILERS in that there Tumblr link, FYI, but I’m sure you knew that.
Watching people get excited for Barbie gave me the same thrill – and reading your discussion about it made me even more eager to see it.
So, I wanted to invite a similar discussion: how did you like Red White & Royal Blue? Did it reach your expectations? Did you laugh?
I’m ok with spoilers if you hide the text (see instructions below) and appreciate your thoughtfulness in hiding them!
Important: instructions for spoiler tags in the comments!
Frame your Spoilery Words between these two tags, lower case, Minus the Asterisks:
[*spoiler*] Spoilers Go Here! [*/spoiler*]
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So – tell me all about it. And happy movie day, RW&RB fans!
I’ve been waiting for this movie ever since I first read the book, which is possibly my favorite contemporary romance of all time. Now that it’s finally here, I was really nervous going in, but I’m very happy with it! Especially the casting for Alex and Henry. Of course, there were things omitted that I missed and changes made that will take some getting used to, but overall I am far from disappointed with I got. I will probably rewatch it a few more times this weekend. And reread the book.
I enjoyed it and am excited to watch it again now that I got the “let’s pay excruciatingly detailed attention to what’s different than the book” out of my system. I did think the pacing was a bit frenetic and there’s a lot crammed into a 2hr movie, even with characters and storylines eliminated or changed. The leads have great chemistry so I think that ultimately made the movie for me (and I went into it a little skeptical about the casting). It will definitely be a comfort watch for me, the same way the book and audiobook are a comfort read/listen.
Watched it last night and was completely satisfied. Looking forward to re-watching, possibly as a triple feature with ‘Fire Island’ and ‘Bros.’ Thought the leads were very good together *and* in their separate scenes. Trimming down the characters and storylines put the romance front and center, exactly how I wanted it. Also enjoyed the Easter-egg cameo from the author. 🙂
I rarely like a movie as much as the novel, but this is an exception. I missed some of the characters in the book and all of the subplots, but there wouldn’t have been time for all of them in the movie. I will be able to watch this one again and again just as I have read the book more than five times.
I got to see it earlier and it was adorable! I was disappointed by a few removed characters and plot alterations, but the actors have great chemistry, and the movie is sweet. The casting for both Amy and Zahra was fantastic.
Haven’t read the book so my perspective will be different but I thought it was charming and fun. Uma Thurman’s southern accent was….interesting (and I wish they didn’t always portray the first female president as also being a model b/c I think it fosters extra criticism about the appearance of women political candidates, but that’s a separate issue). Loved the Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow cameos, too.
I watched the movie last night because I was home from vacation and finally had decent internet. I also wanted something mindless after a long day of travel. Squee! I loved the movie. I still love the book better, but the movie was great. The leads in particular had amazing chemistry, so the rest was kind of gravy.
The movie did what movies are good at: it provided a specific visual look for the story, from the clothes to the locations to the wall decor. The campaign offices were hilariously pretty. No one spends this kind of money on offices, do they?
Prince Henry at the New Year’s party looked so uncomfortable. I felt seen. Those kind of parties have never been my scene: dancing, drinking, and loud music in the company of people I’ve never met.
I really enjoyed it. I just watched it today and I agree, the essence of the book was there.
I was a bit irked that everyone pronounced Zahra’s name as “Zara” (the H isn’t silent), and there were some lines from the book that I REALLY wanted in the adaptation that I didn’t hear.
I think the movie is one that will grow on me, rather than being an instant winner.
Still want a DVD so I can skip this streaming nonsense.
Finally got to watch it, but unfortunately I am feeling mixed about it. I like the casting for Henry and Alex, and thought their relationship arc was reasonably well done. Zahra was pitch perfect. Uma Thurman was… interesting – I think she got the emotion right, but that accent… maybe she was channeling GW Bush?
I think I had a harder time suspending disbelief with the movie than the book. Or maybe it’s that the political climate for LGBTQ+ has gotten worse since 2019 or that the media swarm around Harry and Meghan has gotten even louder (if a vocal segment of the British public can’t handle a biracial American married to their prince, I don’t think they’d welcome a bisexual one). I had to keep reminding myself that it’s a fairytale.
Argh… I forgot to get rid of the asterisks! Facepalm. Please help!
No worries Glen – all fixed!