Writer: Krew Boylan
Director: Gracie Otto
It is generally accepted Australia, where major musical acts rarely tour, has a higher-than average appreciation of tribute acts. Seriously Red, written by and starring Aussie Krew Boylan flirts with, but does not commit to, an examination of this enthusiasm and of the costs and benefits of being such an act.
Red (Krew Boylan) experiences a real-life variation on the nightmare of finding oneself naked in a public place. She shows up for a formal works party dressed as her idol Dolly Parton under the mistaken impression the event is fancy dress. Worse follows as her behaviour at the party is deemed to amount to sexual harassment which together with a poor work record results in her dismissal. Yet there is hope, talent agent Teeth (Celeste Barber) impressed by Red’s rendition of ‘Nine to Five’ suggests she try her hand at being a professional Dolly Parton tribute act. Red’s rise as a tribute act is rapid especially when paired with a Kenny Rogers’s imitator (Daniel Webber). But is Red in danger of losing her real identity?
Seriously Red is a warm-hearted movie which all involved would clearly like to succeed. It even attracts Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale who seem to be having fun taking-off, respectively, Elvis and Neil Diamond. Rather than the crooked managers and shabby venues that usually feature in stories of the lower levels of showbiz, the impersonators are supportive and sincere in their respect for the acts to which they pay tribute. Byrne is the only dissenting voice telling Red she has it easy being a woman impersonating a woman.
The movie avoids the rituals and arguments associated with tribute acts – whether they should sing for real or lip-synch to recordings. Despite the occasional near-the-knuckle gag (such as the reason the talent agent is named ‘Teeth’) the film stays well away from anything that might be considered poor taste or even camp. Red faces few obstacles in her new career and experiences no disappointments, quickly rising to perform in elite venues.
Whilst this creates a ‘feelgood’ vibe the overall effect is an artificial glossy atmosphere. Seriously Red takes an optimistic view of the world of tribute acts, in which everyone is remarkably well-behaved and polite, but offers limited potential for drama.
Red’s partnership with Kenny offers the opportunity to explore the different motivations for people choosing to act as impersonators. Red sticks to the claim she has made purely a professional career choice, even when undergoing surgery for breast implants. Daniel Webber’s Kenny on the other hand seems driven by a psychological need – as if he has no identity of his own. Red does not seem to worry that Kenny’s devotion to his idol is absolute. Disturbingly, neither of them seems to think it is odd that, off-stage and when their relationship becomes personal, they remain dressed in character as if acknowledging they would not be attracted to each other in their real personalities.
The usual pattern in movies of this nature is that the protagonist’s professional rise is at the cost of their personal life. Yet Krew Boylan creates a surprisingly unsympathetic character who, despite a refusal to swear, is not that pleasant to begin with. As viewers might expect Red has a platonic male ‘best friend’- Francis (Thomas Campbell)- who pops up in montages helping her pick costumes and offering motivational advice. Red’s treatment of Francis is dreadful – to conceal her new career from her mother she claims she and he are a couple and simply moves into his apartment pretty much forcing the choice on him and, while on the road, forms a relationship with Kenny.
Red seems incapable of maturing and is so oblivious to the impact her behaviour has on others it must be spelt out for her by Francis in dialogue which sounds a bit like a Hallmark card – if you are busy being someone else who is busy being you?
Seriously Red is a feelgood tribute to tribute acts but the reluctance to dig into the possible motivations of the characters reduces the dramatic impact of the film.
Signature Entertainment presents Seriously Red on Digital Platforms 13th February.
