FilmSnobReviews

Title: Happiest Season
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Clea DuVall
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

What It Is: Harper (Davis) is in a loving relationship with Abby (Stewart). Harper is going back home for Christmas. There’s really only one problem. Harper isn’t out to her family yet. With her dad running a political campaign a scandal could be a death knell. Posing as her “friend” they’ll navigate the ups and downs of hiding who, and what, they are…but can their relationship survive? Will Harper come out…perhaps a push from an old flame in Riley (Aubrey Plaza) will put that over the top.

What We Think: This is an exceptionally crafted film. Clea DuVall is so very talented and that is clear as day. Whoever the casting director is in this…dude nicely done. Top to bottom the decisions made were good ones. Aubrey Plaza is in this and much like the stellar Black Bear Plaza is great. The chemistry between the cast is wonderful and that has a lot to do with DuVall’s fantastic script. Kristen Stewart has been killing it for the majority of her post-Twilight career. She’s an absolute rock for the content that’s here. Her struggle to fight who she is as a person gets you on her side. The entire time the cascade of characters pulls and pushes you in various directions.

Our Grade: A-, I friggin’ HATE Christmas movies. This one goes beyond the scope of LGBTQ+ and Christmas films. It is just whatever it wants to be. It’s the story of a family. Of decisions made and fears. Fears of not living up to expectations. These are all places we’ve been. Things we as people can relate to. It is the delivery of these themes that make this one of 2020s most authentic, even if shot through a veneer, films. I can certainly recommend you check this one out. Hulu is on an absolute roll. With this and Palm Springs they are killing it.