Holiday Streams: Clea DuVall's Happiest Season is a heart-warming queer-friendly Christmas movie

Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis come up with stunning performances in this progressive family drama,

A still from the film

Sometimes, all we need is a feel-good movie to uplift our mood. Clea DuVall's Happiest Season starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis in lead roles, is one of those comfort films which also boasts of its inclusive nature. The Christmas backdrop against which its story unfolds elevates the emotion in a convincing and beautiful manner.

What starts off as a romantic drama which revolves around the lives of an LGBTQ couple shifts the gear slowly and goes on to become a thoroughly enjoyable family drama, which is quite apt for this festival season.

Abby Holland (Kristen) and Harper Caldwell (Mackenzie) are a couple who are getting to know each other. The former dislikes anything associated with Christmas as her parents passed away a decade ago on the festival day. The latter, however, is all excited about going home and meeting her parents on the special occasion.

Harper wants to take Abby to her home to celebrate Christmas, but she is yet to come out to her parents and is concerned about introducing her partner to them. Harper's father Ted (Victor Garber) is looking forward to winning the mayoral election while her mother Tipper (Mary Steenburgen) is his support system.

Harper introduces Abby as her roommate to her parents and younger sister Jade (Mary Holland). They hang out together and spend some good time, though Abby feels left out at times because of Harper's reluctance in coming out. As if this isn't enough, Harper's ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend make things little difficult for Abby.

But as time passes, she manages to sort it out. The biggest challenge, however, was to deal with Harper's elder sister Sloane (Alison Brie). Her entry with her husband and twin children to the home changes the course of the story. When Ted and family are enthusiastically canvassing votes and pinning huge hopes on the election, something unexpected happens.

All hell breaks loose when Sloane announces to her parents about Harper's relationship with Abby at a dinner party. Meanwhile, Sloane gets to know that her husband has been cheating on her. All the drama unfolding in a few minutes' time become too much for Ted and Tipper to fathom.

What makes Happiest Season a well-made heart-warming entertainer is the characterization of Abby and Harper, apart from small, but beautiful moments and conversations between many others.

The relationship between Abby and Harper is treated with utmost care, especially during the fallout between them. The director has ensured that she has highlighted the struggles of the duo, and looks at complex situations from both their perspectives.

Abby's life revolves around Harper and the former is ready to do anything for her, but the latter is torn between her partner's selfless love and the reputation of conservative parents.

Amidst this, a sibling rivalry between Sloane and Harper, too, seeps through the family. It explodes at a time when it should have never happened. Added to this, their younger sister Jane's insecurity in not reaching her parents' expectations add to the woes. The news of Sloane deciding to get a divorce from her husband rub salt in Ted and Tipper's wound.

But being the caring parents they are they realize they should have been more open to their children. Ted goes on to realize that the happiness of his three children are more important than the Mayor's position for which he has been longing for.

Though Happiest Season is a simple family drama on a surface level with a happy ending, the manner in which the lesbian couple face unusual situations and face them bravely is quite inspiring, to say the least. Every character that appears in the film, be it big or small, leave an impression, thanks to the effective writing.

This is one of those perfect movies you should have on your watch list if you are someone who craves for family drama with progressive ideas and relatable emotions.

Happiest Season is streaming on Netflix.

Share