As far as films about Dolly Parton impersonators go, “Seriously Red” is a pleasant enough, offbeat choice. The film, which would have benefited from a rewrite or two, gets a huge boost from the performance of Australian actor Krew Boylan in the role of Red, a young Realtor who loses her job and decides to try to make it as a Dolly Parton impersonator.
When Red, who has loved Dolly since she was a child, puts on one her many Dolly wigs and a bra stuffed with socks, something magical happens. Mousy Red becomes superstar songwriting genius Dolly, singing and dancing about life and love and enchanting audiences. As a child her audience might have been her friend and most ardent supporter Francis (Thomas Campbell), a young man, who is clearly in love with Red and takes Red in when her mother insists on renting the converted garage in which Red has been living.
At about the same time, Red performs at a drag club where the audience is full of impersonators of such celebrities as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Elton John, George Michael, Amy Winehouse and Madonna. Also in the audience is former Neil Diamond impersonator Wilson (Bobby Cannavale), an agent putting together a show he’s staging in a posh Hong Kong hotel.
