by Eurocheese
Yes, it’s that time. Even in this, the strangest year of most of our lives, there’s something comforting about knowing that holiday season always rolls around and we can put on our favorite holiday songs and movies to keep us company. Clea DuVall’s new film Happiest Season not only understands that we need this escape, but manages to find humor in a season that can also be high pressure and exasperating for those who don’t adore it.
Abby (Kristen Stewart) is one of these people. While her girlfriend Harper (Mackenzie Davis) seems over the moon for the holiday, it’s always been a tough time for her, connected to the loss of her parents. In a romantic moment, Harper impulsively invites Abby back to meet her family for Christmas. Abby jumps on the opportunity, and doesn’t pick up on Harper’s hesitance the next day… or her nervous vibe as they head out on the trip…
And as the trailer shows us, there is plenty of reason to be nervous. Not only has Harper lied about coming out to her family, she asks Abby to lie about being her roommate as well as being straight. By this time, we already know Abby brought an engagement ring with her, planning to ask for Harper’s father permission to marry her. Harper is practically walking Abby into a trap, but the script is smart enough to find notes of humor in the awkward set up. Abby reluctantly agrees to play her part, and as the viewer already knows, this is bound to be a disaster.
Your average TV movie might settle for this as enough plot points, but part of the fun of this film is despite following the Christmas formula we might expect, it throws in all kinds of hilarious turns. Mary Steenburgen and Victor Garber are wonderful as Harper’s uptight parents, currently in the middle of a political campaign where they need to tout the appearance of a perfect family. Then there’s Mary Holland (who co-wrote the film) as Harper’s sister Jane, who is desperate for her parents’ attention, and older sister Sloane (Allison Brie), who redefines sibling rivalry whenever Harper’s in the room. Abby barely recognizes Harper around all these people, and begins to realize this “vacation” is not going to look anything like what she expected.
The entire cast is firing on all comedic cylinders, and things only get more complicated as two of Harper’s exes come on the scene (charming Jake McDorman and a knockout performance from Aubrey Plaza). Dan Levy also provides brilliant comedic relief as Abby’s confidant, cracking up the audience every time he shows up on screen and asking what the film is asking – how well does she really know her girlfriend? Part of the fun of the film is not knowing what comes next, so I won’t spoil the details but I will say the entire cast seems to be having a great time. Everything builds towards a comedic climax, and in my opinion they land it perfectly. I was expecting the film to be a nice sit, but this will be going on my list of Christmas movies to revisit every year.
Have you watched Happiest Season on Hulu yet?