Hulu’s “Happiest Season” Is A Holiday Delight (With One Small Problem)
By Lily Scheckner
By Lily Scheckner
On November 25th, Hulu released the much anticipated holiday rom-com “Happiest Season.” The movie, starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, is the first ever studio-backed queer Christmas romantic comedy.
The film follows Abby and Harper, a lesbian couple who return home to spend the holidays with Harper’s family. But when they arrive, Abby discovers that Harper has not come out to her parents or siblings yet. What follows is a blend of humor and heartbreak that will bring you to the edge of your seat.
It would be remiss of me to review this movie without mentioning the incomparable performances from two supporting actors: Daniel Levy and Aubrey Plaza. Levy brings all of his famous “Schitt’s Creek” charm to his role as John, the hilarious best friend who is constantly tracking all of his friends for no apparent reason and can’t stop killing Abby’s fish. Aubrey Plaza, though playing a starkly different role from the apathetic April Ludgate in “Parks and Recreation,” is effortlessly charming as Riley, Harper’s ex-girlfriend who connects with Abby over her struggling relationship. Both are absolutely priceless in their respective roles and alone are more than enough reason to watch the movie.
The only complaint I have about an otherwise wonderful film is the focus on Harper’s coming out storyline. While her struggle is compelling and realistic, it overwhelms both the plot and the other characters. Anybody who watches Christmas romantic comedies enjoys the unique and sometimes ridiculous storylines (Netflix made good use of this trope in 2020 with “Holidate,” “Operation Christmas Drop,” and more). Meanwhile, “Happiest Season” is sometimes so glum that labelling it a rom-com seems like a bit of a stretch. This movie could learn a lesson from Dan Levy’s “Schitt’s Creek”-- gay storylines do not need to be overshadowed by tragedy. Constantly putting homophobia on-screen only gives homophobia a voice, and it is especially important that this groundbreaking movie does not do that. Perhaps Netflix, with its much higher viewership, will be the one to produce a Christmas rom-com that does not focus on such a difficult coming out story.
Nevertheless, this movie is must-see. What with the star-studded cast, the hilarious one-liners (“have they ever met a lesbian?”), and the adorable ending, there’s a reason why it has become an internet sensation.
The film follows Abby and Harper, a lesbian couple who return home to spend the holidays with Harper’s family. But when they arrive, Abby discovers that Harper has not come out to her parents or siblings yet. What follows is a blend of humor and heartbreak that will bring you to the edge of your seat.
It would be remiss of me to review this movie without mentioning the incomparable performances from two supporting actors: Daniel Levy and Aubrey Plaza. Levy brings all of his famous “Schitt’s Creek” charm to his role as John, the hilarious best friend who is constantly tracking all of his friends for no apparent reason and can’t stop killing Abby’s fish. Aubrey Plaza, though playing a starkly different role from the apathetic April Ludgate in “Parks and Recreation,” is effortlessly charming as Riley, Harper’s ex-girlfriend who connects with Abby over her struggling relationship. Both are absolutely priceless in their respective roles and alone are more than enough reason to watch the movie.
The only complaint I have about an otherwise wonderful film is the focus on Harper’s coming out storyline. While her struggle is compelling and realistic, it overwhelms both the plot and the other characters. Anybody who watches Christmas romantic comedies enjoys the unique and sometimes ridiculous storylines (Netflix made good use of this trope in 2020 with “Holidate,” “Operation Christmas Drop,” and more). Meanwhile, “Happiest Season” is sometimes so glum that labelling it a rom-com seems like a bit of a stretch. This movie could learn a lesson from Dan Levy’s “Schitt’s Creek”-- gay storylines do not need to be overshadowed by tragedy. Constantly putting homophobia on-screen only gives homophobia a voice, and it is especially important that this groundbreaking movie does not do that. Perhaps Netflix, with its much higher viewership, will be the one to produce a Christmas rom-com that does not focus on such a difficult coming out story.
Nevertheless, this movie is must-see. What with the star-studded cast, the hilarious one-liners (“have they ever met a lesbian?”), and the adorable ending, there’s a reason why it has become an internet sensation.