Seriously Red

When I sat down to watch the 2022 movie "Seriously Red", I must admit that I wasn't really harboring much of any expectations really. Why? Well, I mean a movie about a Dolly Parton impersonator, how much contents could there possibly be to that?

But I opted to watch the movie, giving the movie a fair chance and the benefit of the doubt. And I am actually glad that I did, because writer Krew Boylan and director Gracie Otto put together a very enjoyable and entertaining movie here.

The storyline is nicely written by Krew Boylan, whom also coincidentally starred as Red, and it is a storyline that takes the audience by the hand and gives you a heartfelt experience that is guaranteed to put a smile on your lips. I was genuinely surprised with the story here, and I have to say that it was good entertainment from start to end.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, except for actor Bobby Cannavale, but they had a great cast and the actors and actresses put on good performances to bring the movie to life on the screen. Leading actress Krew Boylan really carried this movie phenomenally well with her performance.

"Seriously Red" is a movie that is well worth watching and sitting down to spend 104 minutes upon.

My rating of "Seriously Red" lands on a six out of ten stars.

I happened upon this movie to watch one night. I started watching, expecting to flip over to the next movie channel after about 5 minutes but ended up staying for the entire film. Krew Boylan plays Red, a real estate agent who hates being a real estate agent and dreams of being a Dolly Parton impersonator. She sets a course to realise her dream and, in doing so, comes to understand that she needs to be comfortable in her own skin instead of somebody else's. Jean Kittson has a wonderful turn as Red's mum, on her own voyage of discovery.

There's a brief star watch in the movie when Red plays in Hong Kong. Keep both eyes open for Jack Thompson lolling in the background. Overall, it's a fun movie, with a not overbearing message about being yourself. Definitely worth watching.

Dolly Parton fanatic Red (Krew Boylan) can't keep a job and rents the converted garage from her disapproving mother. At the company party, she mistakenly dresses as Dolly Parton. There is a Elvis impersonator (Rose Byrne) and booker Teeth. Red gets fired and signs with impersonator company owner Wilson (Bobby Cannavale). She is paired with Kenny Rogers impersonator (Daniel Webber).

It's an interesting world and there is a funnier comedy somewhere in here. I like the themes and all the big ideas. There is stuff that doesn't make sense. It's also a bit disconnected. It builds up Elvis, but doesn't do more with that character. I assumed Francis to be gay and that threw me off. A lot of little things threw me off in this one. I still like Red a lot despite her bumpy journey.

Look for the handsome extra at the 46-minute mark when they are in Hong Kong, and at the hour and 21 minute where we're at Twin Towns Casino, Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia.

Seriously, it is a story about a loose canon becoming an independent woman when her strained mother-daughter relationship is further wedged when lies, costumes, and make-believe coalesce. Her journey is littered in let downs and undervalued courage. She meets pretenders who know who they are as she pretends to know who she wants to be dressed as her moral guide and idol, Dolly Parton.

When Red, the clumsy Real Estate Agent, burns bridges at a work party and becomes the woman she admires, to standing ovation, an impersonators' manager offers her a path out of her predicament. Out of the pot and into a saucepan as Red juggles her persona, wigs, and lacklustre breasts! Yes! Boob job to top off her transformation.

Knowing the actress also wrote this semiautobiographical comedy, and her bravura during the casino scenes at Tweed, elevates the film in my mind. Although there was a lot of film on the Cutting Room floor, as first hand witness to a bunch of takes that were unused, I can attest, the finished cut did the job in shorthand. It is a shame there is no bonus material to see what could have been.

Seeing her childhood best friend find happiness encourages Red to find hers, in the unlikeliest of places: a bar for trans impersonators! For those who do not understand metaphor, the shedding of her costume represents a new start. A new skin to take on the next project, whatever it may be.

Great performances by Daniel Webber: doing a spot-on Kenny Rogers; Celeste Barber: hilarious throughout, with an unfortunately cringe-worthy nickname, but her face in a Grease-like dream sequence takes the prize; and an Elvis impersonator that takes a few double takes to recognise, if you know the cast list! Even then, Elvis is a mystery in this film as in real life! Thomas Campbell unashamedly camp in his Bowie outfit, and a pleasure throughout. His voice is not heard, as Red drowns it out in her flamboyant fashion. And, finally, Bobby 'Antman's ex's new beau' Cannavale can also sing! His Lou Diamond impersonation deserves a whole outright movie with him headlining. It's that good! And on a personal note, Bobby: Sorry for not smiling and for looking like a dead mullet during your scene at the Hong Kong set. We'd been there since 4 a.m., and I was just sincerely in awe that you were in this small Aussie film being shot in my backyard...so to speak.

The scenes I'm referring occurred very late the night our nation closed its state borders due to the pandemic. I could have walked across the border to my home in Queensland, but I drove through the highway and got locked in as they were putting the barricades up. Took my a good long two hours to cross that invisible line! When I finally reached the officer that was getting a feel for the situation, he apologised that I had been waiting so long when they should have had two lanes, one to let QLD plates through, and the other to check the Blues' papers to cross over. He admitted to that, but it still took a long time to go home. This is why I think the filmmakers listed all of us extras in the credits! Thank you for that! Thank you, Krew, for sharing your story with the world! Well done!

You know what, from the shorts i thought this film was going to be a riot, sadly though for me it wasn't.

I'm not sure if it was down to the direction, or the production, or even ther story telling or what! But the one minute it's a slapstick comedy, then the next it's a serious socal issues film and then it's inwardly naval gazing self awareness film.

It's such a shame because there is a bucket load of tallent there, and it's a good story, i just wish it chose a route and stuck to it.

But as they say you pays your money and you take your choice. I found it disapointing, whereas my partner, she loved it!