matthewlopez: One of my favorite moments in Casey McQuiston’s novel is when Henry explains himself to Alex in an email, using the literary tradition of a fairy tale. I wanted to get that idea into the movie and so I wrote this scene inspired by that moment in the book. I ended up cutting it as we didn’t ultimately learn anything we didn’t already know/intuit and because the three and a half minutes the scene runs was ultimately hindering our momentum. It was a painful but necessary cut and I’m happy to finally share the scene with you all. The speech ran over a page and half in the shooting script and Nick performed it beautifully in a single extended take that we then got coverage on for the end. For those of you who know the film (and there are a few of you), it was intended to go after the scene between Alex and Oscar in the kitchen and before the scene on the raft. I hope you enjoy!
Another day, another thought, I guess this is my life now.
So last night I was reading this article in which Matthew talks about making the film and the staging of the Paris sex scene. And it struck me how much work and attention to detail was given to this moment:
Which yes, others have talked about what is placed around the room but I'd like to present exhibits B and C:
The other times we see them in bed together, Alex is on Henry's right. Protocol or his good side? (Both?) Because that's your place when you're with a Royal.
But in Paris they're the other way around. Henry is on Alex's right. That's his place. That's where he belongs. In this moment he's not Prince Henry, he's Henry Fox. He's just this guy who is in love with this other guy.
At the DNC hotel they're mired in politics. In Kensington Palace they're in the monarchy. But in Paris? They're just them. Not so much Firstprince as... some other pormanteau. Helex? Alry? Anyway. They're them in Paris and it's as close to neutral ground as they can get and I find it interesting that Henry is on Alex's right when every other instance in his life he has people on his right. He never gets to be the person on the right. He never gets to defer to someone who isn't in some line of succession.
But with Alex? He does. He defers to him (and no this is not a comment about sexual positions) and he isn't pushed into the circumstance and rules of a situation he was born into without any choice or say in the matter. He can just be himself without the need to maintain an image or a sense of duty or adhere to some archiac institution. He's on someone's right.
(He's also put Alex on his non-good side. He's showing that part of himself to this man because he loves and he trusts him and he knows he is safe to do so. That's something else I'm feral over.)
And given how much attention was paid to the staging of Paris you will not be able to convince me that this wasn't deliberate. Matthew López himself could come into my Tumblr inbox and deny it and I wouldn't believe him.
Adding on to more Red White and Royal Blue bullshit: The reason I am now SO set on believing this movie will be good is because of an interview I read with the director, Matthew Lopez. I trust this man IMPLICITLY for three reason and here they are:
One: he’s one of us. He’s a fan. He’s a HUGE fan, and he’s a QUEER fan, which is so important on so many levels.
Two: He TOOK HIS GODDAMN TIME editing and re-editing and going over and SLAVING OVER this goddamn movie. THEY FINISHED FILMING ALMOST A YEAR AGO. THIS MAN NAS PUT IN THR WORK. Taylor and Nicholas poured their souls into the acting and Matthew poured his soul into the cutting and piecing together. THIS MOVIE WILL BE A LABOUR OF LOVE FIGHT ME.
Three: I’ve said it, but let me elaborate: Matthew is LITERALLY us, a fan, a HUGE fan. According to that interview, he read the book and immediately knew he HAD to be the one to direct the movie, and that if he wasn’t he would cry. Can you count the number of times you’ve read a book and thought “damn I wish they’d make this a movie” AND THEN HE GOES AND SAYS WELP IF THEY WONT I WILL.
HES LIVIN TH DREAM
He’s bringing all our dreams to life as well fight me
This movie will be amazing FIGHT ME
ok I’m done now
TLDR: My faith in the red white and royal blue movie has been restored and also shot thru the roof and I need august to come yesterday