Ahead of Prime Video’s Red, White & Royal Blue movie premiere, our author dives into the themes of the novel to talk about the challenges in its movie adaptation.
What happens when the First Son of the United States of America and the Prince of Britain meet and are expected to play nice when deep down both of them despise each other? Romance, of course!
Red, White & Royal Blue is an LGBTQ+ romance novel by Casey McQuiston. Since its publication in 2019, the book has quickly garnered widespread acclaim and won the “Best Romance Novel” as well as “Best Debut Novel” in the Goodreads Choice Awards of the same year. It follows the story of 21-year-old Alex, son of the fictional female President, Ellen Claremont, who has a public altercation with his long-standing nemesis, Prince Henry of Britain, which leads to both of them having to pretend as if they have made up and are great friends, lest international relations go absolutely haywire. Multiple interactions and awkward attempts at friendship later, they realise that they actually like each other and eventually begin to fall for each other.
The love affair tackles the unexpected constraints that their positions entail, and it unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue and family dynamics. Amongst all of the themes involved, Alex and Henry weave through the complexity of navigating their individual identities. McQuiston’s debut novel has become a beloved gem, captivating readers with its unique premise and endearing characters. They have beautifully laced humour, vulnerability, and raw emotion into the narrative, making the book a feel-good read. Red, White & Royal Blue is ultimately a journey of self-discovery and a story of being in love in the face of adversity.
With the popularity that the book claimed quickly with its release, an announcement for the book’s movie adaptation was made. It is now set to be released on 11th August 2023 on Amazon Prime. In this article, we shall discuss the book in anticipation of the movie and the challenges associated with adapting this heartwarming tale for a diverse audience.
Popularity and Critical Acclaim of Novel
Red, White & Royal Blue has achieved remarkable success as a novel since its 2019 release. It has quickly become a cultural phenomenon, especially with the LGBTQ+ community. The book received widespread critical acclaim from both readers and critics alike, and it has a 4.⅕ rating on Goodreads.
Casey McQuiston’s writing style, characterized by wit, humor, and emotional depth, struck a chord with audiences, drawing them into the lives of the characters and their complex relationships.
The novel’s portrayal of a contemporary romance between the First Son of the United States and a British Prince was groundbreaking, resonating with readers who appreciated the inclusivity and representation of LGBTQ+ characters. McQuiston, in an interview, mentioned that the idea came to them during the 2016 presidential elections when they were intrigued by the high-profile lives of the famous election candidates and wanted to spin a story off the saga. McQuiston’s authentic and heartfelt portrayal of Alex and Henry’s love story garnered praise for its tenderness and genuine exploration of queer romance.
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Analysing Red, White & Royal Blue Themes
Along with the author’s multiple pop culture references peppered throughout the book, the story also captured the readers’ attention with the setting in which the United States has a female President. The backdrop of the President and the White House, with the young adults making the most out of the situation they are raised in, allows the author to juxtapose themes of political and familial dynamics.
Along with the political landscape, the book uses the popular romantic plot device of the enemies-to-lovers trope exquisitely. The story begins with a build-up of initial animosity between the two lead characters – Alex and Henry – which adds tension and depth to their relationship. This makes the readers go through the story with bated breath and makes their eventual romance all the more compelling and satisfying to experience second-hand.
While the setting of being part of either the White House or British Royalty may only resonate with a chosen few people, the young adult characters will find resonance with a wide audience because they are written as flawed individuals. They are vulnerable and susceptible to their own emotions, and they are shown to still have much to learn when it comes to expressing the same. While their jet-setting and high-profile lifestyle may not be something you and I understand, their complex feelings and reliance on close relationships are something we empathise with deeply. Even the supporting characters, like Alex’s sister June and Henry’s best friend Percy, are written with strong emotional connections in mind.
In the story, when Alex and Henry begin to fall for each other, the author sets the characters on the path of self-discovery. For Alex, the romance could pose a threat to his mother’s election campaigns in the United States. He also grapples with the weight of his biracial and queer identity. For Henry, having an affair with another man would definitely lead to questioning his position within the royal family. His journey leads him to reconcile who he is with his royal blood and public status.
The novel delves into the intricacies of navigating a secret romance in the public eye, highlighting the pressures of both political life and royal duties. The exploration of how Alex and Henry’s relationship affects their personal lives and the political landscape adds depth to the story, elevating it beyond a typical romance novel, which is what has so far resonated with readers all over.
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Challenges in Adaptation of Red, White & Royal Blue
Bringing Red, White & Royal Blue from the pages of a beloved novel to the screen would pose multiple complexities for the filmmakers. With any adaptation, the challenge here lies in translating these elements faithfully while navigating the constraints of the screen, as opposed to the pages of a book.
A major complexity that would come up is, of course, dividing the main storyline into suitable chunks. A common complaint in most book-to-screen adaptations is the editing of major plotlines within the story, in order to make the story fit into the runtime. This can be creatively navigated by adding clever dialogues and appropriate transitions when required. Ultimately, preserving the essence of the story is as important as maintaining the entertainment factor among the watching audience.
Humour and the witty banter between characters add an essential flavour to the book. Capturing the same would be imperative in adopting the right tone and appeal of the story. Touches of camaraderie and comfort between the various characters will contribute to creating an equally heartwarming movie.
In conclusion, adapting Red, White & Royal Blue for the screen presents a complex endeavour requiring thoughtful choices with the screenplay, dialogue, and chemistry between the actors. Capturing the humour, character dynamics, and LGBTQ+ representation will be critical, so let’s hope the Amazon Prime adaptation is well up to the task!
