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Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
Gracie Otto’s SXSW comedy-drama film, Seriously Red, is a beautiful story of accepting who you are, even if it takes a little time to get there. It’s fun, emotional, and a genuinely delightful film. The film stars Krew Boylan, Daniel Webber, Thomas Campbell, and Bobby Cannavale. It is written by Boylan and directed by Gracie Otto.
If You Want The Rainbow, You Gotta Put Up With The Rain
Raylene “Red” Delaney (Boylan) is a completely relatable and believable character. We’ve all felt like we don’t belong and like we’re supposed to be something more. Boylan does a fantastic job at portraying that feeling in a natural and realistic way, and we love her from the moment that we see her. She is uniquely herself in a world that doesn’t fully appreciate her uniqueness.
As soon as we see her as Dolly, we want her to succeed in everything. It’s so easy to fall in love with her and her ambition to be something more. She embodies everything we love about Dolly in her own special way, and Boylan is so perfect in the role that you fall in love with Red and her drive to be Dolly.
You’ll Never Do A Whole Lot Unless You’re Brave Enough To Try
It’s not just Red that we follow through the film, but a lot of amazing characters. Kenny (Webber) is the epitome of a fully committed tribute act; right down to the name. He contrasts Red so perfectly as he has committed fully to being Kenny Rogers. As Red struggles with turning away from herself, Kenny is pulling her into the world of Dolly. They work so well together on screen, and as Red’s tension builds, so does Kenny’s infatuation with the idea of the perfect tribute life. Webber plays an amazing part in Seriously Red and is fully convincing both as a tribute act and as someone chasing something more and running away from who he is.
A personal favourite is Francis (Campbell) because of everything he does for Red. They have a friendship that we all know — deep, unconditional, and forgiving. Although he is pushed out by Red’s ambitions at times, he is always willing to help her out and build her up, just as she is. Campbell is fantastic and real, and he has such a talent for humour and emotion. He has the ability to change between the two so quickly, and when he is on screen with Boylan, their friendship is everything we want in life. Even in the difficult parts.
If You Don’t Like The Road You’re Walking, Start Paving Another One
This comedy-drama has such a beautifully simple and natural humour that shifts so effortlessly as the tone takes a more serious turn. We laugh and smile all the way through, and when Red is finally realising who she wants to be, it hits in a subtle way at first before the full message takes over completely.
The message of the film is one that we’ve seen on screen so many times before, but it’s done in a way that’s just as unique as Red herself. We see how everyone is trying to be someone else, quite literally, and how the real person behind it comes to terms with that.
Alongside Red and Kenny, we have a whole host of amazing characters that further flame the turmoil in Red’s life. Wilson (Cannavale) is small voice of reason, having dealt with his own demons in this industry. EP (Byrne) adds an extra sense of conflict in how Red sees herself and her drive to do more. Red’s mum Viv (Jean Kittson) also has her own plan for Red, and it isn’t what is happening.
Each character is perfectly balanced throughout the film, and adds their own challenge to Red’s life. Cannavale, Byrne, and Kittson are all excellent in their roles, and to an extent are relatable. We all know people like this, and they are so familiar and recognizable.
Find Out Who You Are and Do It On Purpose
This is a film that I could watch over and over again. It’s funny, emotional, and raw. When Red finds her freedom in herself, you feel that freedom with her. It’s an incredible story, told with amazing actors. Along with a soundtrack that will never fail to make you sing along and move you, this is a timeless story that is a must-see for all.
Seriously Red premiered on 13th March at the SXSW film festival.
RELATED: Read my other SXSW 2022 film review on This Much I Know to Be True, which has a focus on music!
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
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