I've seen this film twice in the 3 weeks since it released. Obviously, I liked it quite a bit and frankly, I found it better than the book (which I'd read a couple of years back and went back to re-read after my first viewing of the film).
I've seen several comparisons of the film to the book, and the general consensus seems to be that the book was better. I quite disagree with this. In many ways, the film was actually better than the book.
Certain changes the film made - for example, removing June's character entirely and presenting Nora as a combination of the book's Nora and June - worked very well, IMO. As was the elimination of Rafael Luna's character and kinda/sorta substituting that with the track of the jealous/spiteful Miguel Ramos.
However, while I found the film to be very entertaining, certain aspects concerned with scene deletions and pacing, detracted from its overall appeal. This could have really gone down as one of the Greatest Romcoms but settles for being a Rather good one, instead.
For one thing, the pacing of the romance between Alex and Henry felt a bit rushed. There wasn't enough interaction shown from the time they meet up in UK on the fake "we are actually best chums" interviews for the benefit of the media, to the time of Alex's New Year eve bash. Yes, we are shown a very creatively portrayed montage of their emails/ chats with each other, but this should have been fleshed out more. Considering that the book shows Henry as being actively involved in his friend Percy's foundation (which has extensive charitable activities on both sides of the Atlantic), the film could so easily have shown Henry coming over to the US in connection with these duties and actually having a couple of meetups with Alex, deepening their friendship, *before* the New Year's eve bash.
Also, several of the Director's decisions on deleting scenes make no sense whatsoever and actually detract from the film. For instance, the "Cornetto scene" at Kensington Palace which was later released as a separate one off - why on earth was this ever deleted from the final cut of the film? It's a Very meaningful scene, well acted by both the leads, and shows vividly the push-pull nature of their strong attraction to each other even at the time when they supposedly disliked each other.
Another example here is the way the film cuts from the Polo match at Windsor straightaway to the cafe in Paris. It's so abrupt that it's evident there's a deleted scene there. And in fact, the original scene at the Polo match itself is longer, has Alex and Henry having a longer interaction with each other. Likewise, from the "flashback shots" which play when Alex is addressing the media (after the news of his and Henry's relationship is leaked) - we see snatches of more deleted scenes . Alex and Henry spending a romantic time together in Paris, for one. Having a fireside chat at a bonfire in Alex's family ranch in Texas, for another. Alex and Henry having breakfast together at Kensington Palace after they reconcile - yet another deleted scene.
I'm not quite sure what the thought process was to restrict the film to slightly less than 2 hours, and delete so many pivotal scenes which should have been retained. The audience would have been perfectly content with 20-30 minutes or so longer in the film - or else as a mini series with, say, 3 episodes of an hour each. This would have given some more breathing room to both explore Alex's and Henry's relationship in greater detail, as well as flesh out the interaction with other key family members.
I definitely wished we had a bit more nuance in the way Ellen Claremont is shown reacting when Alex comes out to her. Yes, it was wonderful to see how supportive and accepting she was, but she wouldn't be human if she didn't also wonder how it would affect her tight reelection campaign. At least a scene or two showing her doubts on this, before she realizes she needs to place her son's happiness first, would have been great. I would also have loved to see more of interaction between Ellen Claremont and Henry, after she comes to know about Alex's and Henry's relationship. We get to see snatches of Henry interacting with Alex's Dad after Alex come out to his parents - but never with his Mom. Likewise, it would have been great having a scene which showed Bea as supporting Alex, in his attempt to get through to Henry at Kensington Palace when Henry was "ghosting" him.
That said, despite the rushed pacing, I found myself rooting for Alex & Henry despite the "fairy tale" nature of this romance. While it may be formulaic and somewhat far fetched, the very nature of Romcoms requires a willing suspension of disbelief and analysing it with more heart than head. This film certainly made me willing to do both!
The chemistry between Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine is top notch throughout the film - scorching hot and passionate, while also being very tender and romantic. It would have been best to retain more scenes of this magical pair instead of paring them down. Taylor is simply a revelation this film - he brings a heady blast of charisma to his portrayal of Alex. His superb looks and ripped physique obviously help, but equally compelling are his expressive eyes and contagious, million $$ smile.
I for one, would definitely hope that there is a Director's cut/ extended edition of the film (including the deleted scenes) which could be released later. That version would surely warrant an 8.5- 9 rating.
I've seen several comparisons of the film to the book, and the general consensus seems to be that the book was better. I quite disagree with this. In many ways, the film was actually better than the book.
Certain changes the film made - for example, removing June's character entirely and presenting Nora as a combination of the book's Nora and June - worked very well, IMO. As was the elimination of Rafael Luna's character and kinda/sorta substituting that with the track of the jealous/spiteful Miguel Ramos.
However, while I found the film to be very entertaining, certain aspects concerned with scene deletions and pacing, detracted from its overall appeal. This could have really gone down as one of the Greatest Romcoms but settles for being a Rather good one, instead.
For one thing, the pacing of the romance between Alex and Henry felt a bit rushed. There wasn't enough interaction shown from the time they meet up in UK on the fake "we are actually best chums" interviews for the benefit of the media, to the time of Alex's New Year eve bash. Yes, we are shown a very creatively portrayed montage of their emails/ chats with each other, but this should have been fleshed out more. Considering that the book shows Henry as being actively involved in his friend Percy's foundation (which has extensive charitable activities on both sides of the Atlantic), the film could so easily have shown Henry coming over to the US in connection with these duties and actually having a couple of meetups with Alex, deepening their friendship, *before* the New Year's eve bash.
Also, several of the Director's decisions on deleting scenes make no sense whatsoever and actually detract from the film. For instance, the "Cornetto scene" at Kensington Palace which was later released as a separate one off - why on earth was this ever deleted from the final cut of the film? It's a Very meaningful scene, well acted by both the leads, and shows vividly the push-pull nature of their strong attraction to each other even at the time when they supposedly disliked each other.
Another example here is the way the film cuts from the Polo match at Windsor straightaway to the cafe in Paris. It's so abrupt that it's evident there's a deleted scene there. And in fact, the original scene at the Polo match itself is longer, has Alex and Henry having a longer interaction with each other. Likewise, from the "flashback shots" which play when Alex is addressing the media (after the news of his and Henry's relationship is leaked) - we see snatches of more deleted scenes . Alex and Henry spending a romantic time together in Paris, for one. Having a fireside chat at a bonfire in Alex's family ranch in Texas, for another. Alex and Henry having breakfast together at Kensington Palace after they reconcile - yet another deleted scene.
I'm not quite sure what the thought process was to restrict the film to slightly less than 2 hours, and delete so many pivotal scenes which should have been retained. The audience would have been perfectly content with 20-30 minutes or so longer in the film - or else as a mini series with, say, 3 episodes of an hour each. This would have given some more breathing room to both explore Alex's and Henry's relationship in greater detail, as well as flesh out the interaction with other key family members.
I definitely wished we had a bit more nuance in the way Ellen Claremont is shown reacting when Alex comes out to her. Yes, it was wonderful to see how supportive and accepting she was, but she wouldn't be human if she didn't also wonder how it would affect her tight reelection campaign. At least a scene or two showing her doubts on this, before she realizes she needs to place her son's happiness first, would have been great. I would also have loved to see more of interaction between Ellen Claremont and Henry, after she comes to know about Alex's and Henry's relationship. We get to see snatches of Henry interacting with Alex's Dad after Alex come out to his parents - but never with his Mom. Likewise, it would have been great having a scene which showed Bea as supporting Alex, in his attempt to get through to Henry at Kensington Palace when Henry was "ghosting" him.
That said, despite the rushed pacing, I found myself rooting for Alex & Henry despite the "fairy tale" nature of this romance. While it may be formulaic and somewhat far fetched, the very nature of Romcoms requires a willing suspension of disbelief and analysing it with more heart than head. This film certainly made me willing to do both!
The chemistry between Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine is top notch throughout the film - scorching hot and passionate, while also being very tender and romantic. It would have been best to retain more scenes of this magical pair instead of paring them down. Taylor is simply a revelation this film - he brings a heady blast of charisma to his portrayal of Alex. His superb looks and ripped physique obviously help, but equally compelling are his expressive eyes and contagious, million $$ smile.
I for one, would definitely hope that there is a Director's cut/ extended edition of the film (including the deleted scenes) which could be released later. That version would surely warrant an 8.5- 9 rating.