Tis the season for charming Holiday rom-coms! If you missed Last Christmas last year, you
can catch that on HBO or as an Amazon Prime rental. This year, there are literally dozens of
rom-com options on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon that vary in quality from painful
to watchable to enjoyable. Happiest
Season, currently available on Hulu, is certainly enjoyable.
Harper and Abby are enjoying the early part of their romance
and moving steadily into the more serious portion. So serious in fact, that
Abby has decided to propose to Harper over the holidays. After a particularly
romantic evening involving a holiday light tour, a rooftop escapade, and a fall
from said rooftop, Harper asks Abby to come home with her to spend the holidays
with her family. The only issue being
that Harper’s family still does not know she is gay. Not only that, but her
father is currently running for mayor and the family is looking to maintain a ‘traditionally
perfect’ family image over the holidays to impress donors and voters.
Despite that, Abby agrees to go home with her as her orphan
roommate. The various festivities start
to get more complicated as Harper’s parents ensure her ex-boyfriend continues
to encounter them at various functions and Abby gets to know Harper’s ex-girlfriend
and sisters. Hijinks ensue, and because
it’s a rom-com, there are happy endings for all.
This movie is written and directed by Clea DuVall who wanted a rom-com that reflected her experience. The movie is smart, witty, and often downright hilarious. That is balanced completely with some genuinely touching and heartbreaking moments. I have said it before and I will say it again, I never mind a rom-com that sticks to the formula and delivers on the happy ending in a satisfying way. The various circumstances while the couple tries to sneak around the house are very funny, and as with other classic rom-coms, it’s the support cast of friends and family that really shine.
Kristen Stewart plays Abby and this is by far the most
relaxed and natural I have seen her in a movie. She gives Abby a warmth and
genuineness layered with a desire to grow and evolve her relationship. Mackenzie Davis plays Harper and the conflict
in wanting to be her true self with Abby but also not let down her family while
trying to meet their expectations is a difficult balance. I did find myself
disliking her character at a couple of points, which probably speaks to how
well she was doing.
Mary Steenburgen and Victor Garber play Tipper and Ted, the parents. Tipper is learning how to manage the social media feeds as her husband courts large donors in his mayoral bid. Both are veterans and know exactly how to play nearly every beat of this story.
Alison Brie plays Harper’s perfect sister Sloane – we know she’s perfect because it is mentioned several times. Brie elevates this type of character and while you suspect there is more to her, it’s still a surprise when it happens. Mary Holland was the true standout to me as the younger sister Jane. Wildly exuberant and joyful while also being confident in her own path despite not really ever being shown any confidence from her family, she manages to be constantly funny and engaging.
Dan Levy plays John, Abby’s best friend, who shows up to
rescue her when things start to veer wildly out of control. He is hilarious and
gets some of the best scenes and lines, including one about hypothetically
replacing a pet fish with an exact copy if something had maybe happened to the
first fish.
Aubrey Plaza plays Harper’s ex, Riley. She also manages to layer warmth and forgiveness in a role that could have been very one-note with a different actor.
Overall, the movie is charming, fun, and touching – exactly what you need in a holiday rom-com. Check it out while you open that holiday tin of the tri-color popcorn.
8 out of 10
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