Certain movies leave a lingering sense of potential unfulfilled, a unique frustration that often stems from squandered opportunities. Seriously Red is one such example, offering a touching narrative about embracing one’s true self but falling short of delivering its core message.
Despite repeated affirmations by numerous characters, the film fails to provide a look into Raylene’s authentic personality. The story, constrained by its hour-and-a-half runtime, could have greatly benefited from an additional 30 minutes to add depth and offer better context for the supporting characters’ actions.
Viewing glimpse into Raylene’s authentic personality. The story, constrained by its hour-and-a-half runtime, could have greatly benefited from an additional 30 minute glimpse into Raylene’s authentic personality.
Despite her colorful hair, Raylene battles with feelings of inadequacy in her quest for approval (Photo: Seriously Red/Dollhouse Pictures)The story, Seriously Red also led to an unexpected revelation: the frequent joking at the expense of red-haired individuals. However, this humor seems more like a whimsical addition than a meaningful commentary.
Let’s head into the life of Raylene Red Delaney.
Raylene’s Journey to Becoming a Dolly Parton Impersonator
Red, a realtor, often lets her focus drift while on the job. For instance, instead of working efficiently, she daydreams in a client’s bathtub and spends time flipping through his photo albums. Her actions seem driven by a longing for approval.
At an office party, she attends in a Dolly Parton costume after being tricked by her best friend, Francis, only to feel humiliated. She expresses her desire for respect and blames her appearance for the lack of it.
Later, she begrudgingly accepts the “Office Clown” award but turns the tables by performing a Dolly Parton impersonation, which catches the attention of Teeth. Inviting her to perform at a festival, Teeth introduces Red to the world of impersonation.
That night, Red connects with an Elvis impersonator but returns to the reality of living in her mother’s garage. While her mother wishes for her to move back into the house, Red refuses.
At work, her unprofessional behavior, such as tardiness and misconduct, results in her termination. Dismissing her shortcomings, Red convinces herself that her hair color is the issue.
In a moment of defiance, she quits before her boss can formally fire her. Embracing her newfound path, she heads to the festival and performs as Dolly Parton, earning the approval of her peers. Her journey takes a turn when she secures a gig by impressing Wilson, who advises her to embody Dolly Parton to excel.
As her success grows, she moves out of her garage and begins living with Francis. However, her interpretation of Wilson’s advice leads her to undergo breast augmentation surgery, seeking to mirror Dolly further.
Meanwhile, her relationship with Kenny deepens, though she often questions his identity before he became a Kenny Rogers impersonator, reflecting her internal struggle with losing her own sense of self.
Struggles With Identity
As Red gains success, her relationship with her mother remains strained, with her achievements falling short of her mother’s expectations. Red also grapples with the distance in her friendship with Francis, who starts dating someone new.
The emotional void grows as Red realizes her transformation into Dolly Parton has overshadowed her true self. During a conversation with Wilson, he explains why he stopped impersonating Neil Diamond, revealing that he chose to reclaim his individuality and reconnect with his family. This resonates with Red, who begins to question her own choices.
At a pivotal moment during a performance, Kenny proposes to her, triggering a revelation. Red recognizes that Kenny is proposing to the persona she has created, not her true self. She declines the proposal and decides to step away from the stage, reclaiming her identity.
Her mother’s reaction, marked by tears of pride, feels out of place given her previous disapproval. A subtler gesture of acceptance might have been more convincing. Red reconciles with Francis, rekindling their friendship, and embarks on a new chapter as an author and motivational speaker.
Could Seriously Red Have Been Stronger?
The movie had the potential to leave a lasting impact but fell short due to its underdeveloped characters and limited runtime. Red’s personality remains largely unexplored, aside from her quirks and professional flaws.
The dynamics of her friendship with Francis, crucial to the story, needed further development to feel genuine. While the supporting cast added valuable layers, the editing choices left the narrative incomplete.
A slightly longer runtime would have allowed for a more thorough exploration of the themes, characters, and relationships. As it stands, Seriously Red presents an engaging premise but fails to deliver the emotional resonance it strives for.
