Award-winning playwright and director, Matthew López, has recently addressed the R rating given to the highly anticipated LGBTQ+ rom-com, Red, White & Royal Blue. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced the rating in May, citing “language, some sexual content, and partial nudity” as the reasons behind it. However, López has raised questions about the MPAA’s double standards when it comes to depicting sexuality versus violence on screen.
In a recent interview with People, López expressed his surprise at the R rating and speculated on the MPAA’s possible bias against LGBTQ+ content. He remarked, “I do question whether or not if it had been a man and a woman, if we’d still gotten an R rating.” López pointed out that a scene of violence might have been more acceptable for a lower rating, but because the film features two male characters engaged in a consensual relationship, it received an R rating.
Despite his initial surprise, López acknowledged that he had the creative freedom to deliver an R-rated film and didn’t want to compromise the story’s integrity. “I wanted to make sure the film was going to be as accessible to as many people as possible,” he said. The film, based on Casey McQuiston’s bestselling novel, revolves around the romantic journey between Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry, portrayed by Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, respectively.
López also revealed that he embraced the R rating and even added more explicit language during additional dialogue recording (ADR). The director’s decision reflects his commitment to authenticity and staying true to the characters’ experiences.
Red, White & Royal Blue is set to premiere on 11 August on Prime Video, and fans are eager to witness its powerful depiction of love and relationship complexities. As the film delves into themes of friendship and acceptance, it aims to resonate with audiences worldwide, sparking conversations about LGBTQ+ representation and the importance of diverse storytelling in cinema.
