Happiest Season (2020 – Theatrical Release) – Preview
Happiest Season could be one of the rare major releases that isn’t focused on the struggle of LGBTQIA+ people during the holidays, but how they can and do thrive!
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Happiest Season could be one of the rare major releases that isn’t focused on the struggle of LGBTQIA+ people during the holidays, but how they can and do thrive!
| Director(s) | Clea DuVall | |
| Writer(s) | Clea DuVall, Mary Holland | |
| Release Date (Theatrical) | 11/25/2020 | |
| Noted Cast Members | ||
| Abby | Kristen Stewart | |
| Harper | Mackenzie Davis | |
| John | Daniel Levy | |
| Eric | Burl Moseley | |
| Sloan | Alison Brie | |
| Magnue | Anis N’Dobe | |
| Matilda | Asiyih N’Dobe | |
| Jane | Mary Holland | |
| Ted | Victor Garber | |
| Tipper | Mary Steenburgen | |
Official Synopsis
Meeting your girlfriend’s family for the first time can be tough. Planning to propose at her family’s annual Christmas dinner – until you realize that they don’t even know she’s gay – is even harder. When Abby (Kristen Stewart) learns that Harper (Mackenzie Davis) has kept their relationship a secret from her family, she begins to question the girlfriend she thought she knew. HAPPIEST SEASON is a holiday romantic comedy that hilariously captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family’s acceptance, being true to yourself, and trying not to ruin Christmas.
Cast Guide
Note: Descriptions are partly based on presumptions from images and/or other press materials.
Abby (Kristen Stewart)
Harper’s girlfriend who seems to be the one pushing to get to know her and her family as she has made the decision she wants to get married to her. But, as noted in the synopsis, there might be some challenges before she even gets on bended knee.
Harper (Mackenzie Davis)
It isn’t clear why Harper isn’t out to her family, considering it seems diverse, but we’ll be learning that soon.
John (Daniel Levy)
John appears to be one of Abby’s friends, based on him helping her shop for rings.
Eric (Burl Moseley)
Eric is Sloan’s husband and father to their two kids.
Sloan (Alison Brie)
Sloan is Eric’s wife and mother to their two kids.
Magnus (Anis N’Dobe) and Matilda (Asiyih N’Dobe)
Likely fraternal twins of Eric and Sloan.
Jane (Mary Holland)
Though we don’t know for sure, Jane seems to be the last of Ted and Tipper’s daughters to not have a partner. At least, after Harper comes out.
Ted (Victor Garber)
Ted is the patriarch of Harper’s family.
Tipper (Mary Steenburgen)
Tipper is the matriarch of Harper’s family.
First Impression
When it comes to Christmas and holiday productions featuring queer characters, unfortunately, the story usually focuses on trauma or trauma bonding. Be it spending time with your chosen family, dealing with the oppression that comes with being homosexual, and while this isn’t what every last film or show does, it is what’s predominant. Generally speaking, the holidays are more about finding ways to survive than relishing in how you are thriving.
So with Happiest Season, it feels like the narrative is starting to shift. For while, yes, Harper isn’t out, which could lead to some awkward or unfortunate moments, who is to say that situation may not be handled from the start of the film? Never mind that, with this being billed as a romantic comedy, maybe all the drama and fear associated with coming out may just be internalized when it comes to Harper?
Find out on November 25, 2020, in theaters!
Social Media
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