Movie Mondays: On the occasional Monday, I will review a book series or novel that has been made into a movie. I will then answer the question that everyone asks: which is better, the movie or the book? Here is this edition’s offering:
Book Cover | Movie Poster
Book: Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019) | Movie: Red, White and Royal Blue (2023)
Which did I read/see first? the BOOK
Author: Casey McQuiston
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT
Point of View: Third Person, Single
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
I was in a fantasy/non-contemporary reading slump and wanted something a little lighter so I picked up the audiobook – and it was just what I needed!
By no means would I say that this book was completely light. It touches on a lot of themes such as family expectations, LGBT rights and politics. It paralleled the current climate so well – even if it was written nearly 6 years ago. But Alex had such a charm about his narration that it never failed to bring a smile to my face.
While Henry plays a major role and has a very good character arc, this story really is about Alex finding himself in the world. This read more like a coming of age story than just a straight up romance. But the moments we see between Alex and Henry were so, so sweet. I loved the slow burn evolution from hate to love between Alex and Henry. I felt like the characters are the heart of this story and I enjoyed watching them navigate the various obstacles life threw at the them.
This might have been one of the best audio productions I’ve ever read (it felt like I was listening to a full cast) and I just loved this coming of age LGBT story!
Rating: 4/5
Series Review: Full series review here!
- Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (London Calling Series #1)
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Were My Expectations Met?
I had been talking to a coworker that I had read this book and mentioned the movie. She had told me it was just an ok movie so I went into it with lower expectations. But even before we had that conversation, I knew I was going to be getting an abbreviated version of the story but I hoped it would capture the heart of the story.
How Close is it to the Book?
I’d say that the key moments from the book that the fans want (like the cake, first kiss and polo scenes) are all there. They brought a smile to my face when they appeared because I remembered them from the book. But it is certainly the cliff notes of the book’s events overall and keeps the plot moving. Which is in some ways is better for the drama as I felt like the book almost had too much going on plot-wise some times. Though I do want to note that the run time of the movie is just under 2hrs which didn’t make the movie feel rushed; it was a great length. But I felt like the character development suffered as a result.
Alex’s sexual coming-of-age in particular was pitched in a different way in the movie. He’s a little more aware that he is bisexual in the movie versus the book. In the novel, I think part of his “hate” towards Alex is because he doesn’t know how to explain his feelings given his complicated family life and his role in the White House. In the movie, Alex’s family situation is completely different and I think it just changes his character story and the connections some readers may have to him. But the heart of his character is still there.
Oddly enough, Henry’s story is pretty much the same as the novel so I think the fans will appreciate that.
Did I Like the Cast?
I had already seen the movie posters and I think I actually watched the movie trailer before I started the book so I had the leads in mind as I read the book. I think they both did a great job as Alex and Henry – they nailed the smoldering looks and I felt the chemistry! The rest of the cast is great as well.
The movie is entertaining and I think fans will appreciate that the meat of the novel is in the movie. But I think the characters were so much stronger in the book and I appreciate that depth to them.
Do you agree? Leave a comment below!
Synopsis for Red, White and Royal Blue (from Goodreads):
First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.
The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.
As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?
Trailer:
