#paris week

[onpurposeilovehimonpurpose]

Fingers Friday - Paris Week Day 6

The acting that Taylor does here with his hands, particularly the movement of his fingers, it's glorious. He is an amazing actor and he has captured Alex Claremont-Diaz with the same perfect love that Henry captured Alex's heart. Every time I watch this scene, I watch, his posture, how he moves his hands, and the twitching of his fingers. And let's talk about Alex, how fucking relatable (at least to me) his nervousness is, but how he can also be this open, even if it's scary, he goes all in.

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) dir. Matthew Lopez

More with his hands, his fingers, and how eventually as he gets out what needs to be said, and Henry's understanding smile is there for him, his fingers unclench and he relaxes, even if he's embarrassed. Henry gets a lot of credit for being brave (I give it to him all the damn time), but this is a lot for Alex. Not only was he just told that he will only get to have Henry momentarily, but then he's being asked to "make love" and he can joke all he wants about it, he is clearly aware that Henry is serious about it, that Henry chose those words and he knows that the positions, what he is outwardly curious and nervous about, is second to the emotions of what "making love" will mean. Alex hasn't ever made love before, he says as much with his reaction, and though he jokes, he never uses a different term, it never becomes anything less, and this reaction he has, the way he moves his fingers around, it's all that intense emotion trying to find a way out as he tries to find a way to say what he means.

[onpurposeilovehimonpurpose]

Sweet Sunday

Today kicks off 'Paris Week'. Next week is 'Vacation Feels Week', in case you're interested. I'm gonna be mixing the scenes up a bit throughout the week, but I'm sure ya'll have seen this masterpiece just as many times as I have and will have no trouble with that.

There is so much sweet vulnerability and connection in this bit.

After Henry says, "I think we should make love tonight", the way they both fervently maintain eye contact. Alex, because I think his heart is in his throat after hearing Henry say that, and he needs some confirmation that it's real, that Henry chose those words seriously. (even if he does poke fun to diffuse the nervous tension he feels later) And Henry, because he's worried, because "Oh" may not have been the response he thought he would get, he may be a little confident here, but the response makes him waver. He needs to know Alex's thoughts, he wants Alex to be on the same page as him, he's probably freaking out because he chose those words and he needs to look Alex in the eyes and let Alex see HIM.

It's finally computing for Alex, that this is actually his reality. That he may get to have Henry, even if only momentarily.

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) dir. Matthew Lopez

His adorable stumbling, it's incredibly relatable and beautifully acted. Both of them in this part, their facial expressions, the shifting of their bodies, and the contact Henry gives Alex until he hears Alex express confirmation. He knows that he didn't freak him out too much, that he wants him too, and now Henry doesn't have to be so nervous. He did it, he was brave, he asked for what he wanted and Alex will give it to him honestly. Henry's relief, and smile when Alex says, "I'm down", it's just a tiny moment, but it's a beautiful one that should be pointed out all the damn time.

[onpurposeilovehimonpurpose]

A Toast - Paris Week Day 2

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) dir. Matthew Lopez

I just love this shot of Alex from behind with Henry joining him. The look on his face, and his smile as he toasts to Henry, to Paris, it's adorable. I wish we could've seen more of this, of Alex nervously pouring the glasses and trying to stay cool and calm, because after what Henry just said to him in the gardens, the energy in that room has to be electric, the air heavy. He also must be feeling a mess of emotions, wanting to give in to the romanticism of Paris, of being with a man he knows he's falling for, and the setting is just making it all the more romantic. The champagne, the beautiful shared hotel room with a stunning view, and his Henry Fox. And all the possibilities that are to be explored that night.

[onpurposeilovehimonpurpose]

What I Love Wednesday Paris Week Day 4

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) dir. Matthew Lopez

I will talk about this moment forever and ever. I can't stress the importance of this soft intimacy, for Alex and Henry, and also to see this on our screens. Now back to the scene itself. Henry's eyebrow raise, yes, I've gone off the deep end talking about it before, but it's been a while and that damn eyebrow raise owns me. Alex's body relaxes under Henry's touch, and then immediately the shock of what Henry said hits and he has to turn to see him. The fact that Henry needed to have Alex turned away from him to say this makes me cry a bit (or a lot), because he had to have been terrified to use the words he did. But he was strong and safe, he took comfort from touching Alex and he purposely chose the words he did. Because "not here" and "only momentarily", didn't mean "not ever". I'm crying now.

[onpurposeilovehimonpurpose]

Thick Thursday - Paris Week Day 5

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) dir. Matthew Lopez

I don't have a lot to say about this one because I'm drooling too much to be coherent. But I love Alex's thick hair and the way Henry just always goes for it. It always looks so thick and pretty with Henry's hands buried in it. Particularly in this instance. And I love how Alex puts his hand over Henry's, to maybe encourage the hair-grabbing. It's so fucking hot!

[onpurposeilovehimonpurpose]

Sexy Saturday - Paris Week Day 7

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) dir. Matthew Lopez

Okay, so I almost used this for a "thankful Thursday" post because of how thankful I am that they gave us this scene, which we know is Henry putting his hand over Alex's heart and gives us "book feels".

However, that look on Henry's face, does things to me, and probably everyone else who has ever seen this movie, and seen Nicholas slip into the Henry we all knew from the book with the most all-encompassing accuracy, displayed right here like something about of my imagination. It's such a tender, loving expression, and combined with the act, and how intimate this moment of them touching and seeing one another fully naked for the first time is, it makes this one of the sexiest moments of the whole film. Nothing sexier than open love and admiration I suppose.

[onpurposeilovehimonpurpose]

Touching Tuesday - Paris Week Day 3

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (2023) dir. Matthew Lopez

The way that Henry splays his hand on Alex's back then moves it up and squeezes his shoulder, it's such a comforting gesture, it makes me think that maybe by doing this, he's also comforting himself, giving himself the courage to say what he's about to. While I would have enjoyed watching Henry drink the champagne too, I also like that it sits there on the table untouched, because he didn't need 'liquid courage', he just needed Alex, a man who has asked for nothing from Henry, except for him to be who he truly is. That spot between Alex's shoulder blades begins the safe space that Henry finds when he touches Alex.

[moonepiphanyyyy]

AHHHHH KIT AND TIMOTHEE CHALAMET TALKED TO EACH OTHER AT THE PARIS WEEK