Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Happiest Season is a lesbian Christmas romance. It’s about Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis), a couple who have been dating for about a year and are living together. Harper loves Christmas and wishes Abbey could enjoy the holiday as much as she does. One night, while they’re out having fun, Harper spontaneously asks Abbey to go home with her for the holidays.
Abbey is hesitant and doesn’t respond until the following day, when she says yes. Harper acts a little surprised and tries to convince her not to go, but Abbey insists. While on the drive to Harper’s parents’ house, she reveals to Abbey that her parents don’t know she’s gay, and that they think Abbey is her roommate.
Abbey plays along with the ruse but gets tired of being treated like a friend and not Harper’s girlfriend. Adn so the drama begins…
Some Thoughts:
The production values for Happiest Season may be mediocre, but this is one of the best romantic holiday movies I’ve seen in a while. The cast understands the assignment and does a fine job delivering their characters. There’s also some decent humor and enough real-life situations to hold your interest.
Harper’s dysfunctional family is well done. Her mother, Tipper (Mary Steenburgen), is a perfectionist whose main responsibility is supporting her husband, Ted (Victor Garber), as he runs for reelection. Harper’s sister, Jan (Mary Holland), is awkwardly odd. Nobody in the family appears interested in anything she has to say and often brushes her off. The oldest sister, Sloan (Alison Brie), gave up a promising law career to sell gift baskets online. She’s married to a man of color and has two children.
Harper is a journalist, and Ted is always talking about her work and introducing her to everyone. When the family has to attend an event with possible political donors, Ted tells Harper to be on her A game. Sloan asks if there’s anything she can do, and Ted asks her to make sure to bring her children. This is just one of several times the family dynamic is on full display. It’s subtle and effective.
Stewart plays Abby as a woman who keeps her feeling inside. And since Harper is so caught up in being in the closet, she doesn’t realize that her girlfriend is in distress.
When Harper’s high school girlfriend, Riley (Aubrey Plaza), makes an appearance, it’s obvious to Abby that Harper isn’t telling her everything about their relationship. And when Riley and Abby become friendly, Harper begins to freak out.
Abby often calls her friend John (Dan Levy) for support. The scenes between Abby and John are serious, funny, and keep the seriousness of the situation playful.
A lesser movie would paint Harper as the villain, but Happiest Season rises the obvious and makes her human. It shows her as a woman willing to do anything to gain her parents’ approval and afraid of losing their love.
The Final Verdict:
Happiest Season is better than the average holiday romance. The story is well done, with just enough drama and humor to hold your attention.