“Happiest Season”
The 2020 holiday rom-com, Happiest Season, was digitally released on Hulu Nov. 25. Abby, played by Twilight’sKristen Stewart, has a plan to propose to her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), at her family’s annual Holiday party. However, Abby comes to find that her girlfriend has not come out to her conservitive parents and family. Despite the protests of her best friend John (Daniel Levy), Abby agrees to still spend Christmas with Harper’s family, only this time as Harper’s orphan roommate. For five days, Abby is forced to put up with prying questions about relationships and the passing of her parents all for her girlfriend Harper.
This movie is directed by Clea DuVall, known best for her film But I’m a Cheerleader.Though the film seems light hearted and fun, it reveals the self alienation people a part of the LGBTQ+ community face when they force themselves to meet straight expectations. Told by a lesbian filmaker herself, the difficulty and fear of coming out to family is truly portrayed.
The story is able to express the side of not just being different, but the challenges that one could face during it. There are different hardships of coming out which are portrayed well throughout the movie. Not only is coming out difficult but the many outcomes that could happen when one tells their parents. In addition, the feeling of needing to be the best and perfect is something to overcome because while in the end you learn that no one is perfect. The New York Poststates, “Despite some goofy moments, “Happiest Season” is wonderfully heartfelt, using a fresh coming out story to deliver on the promise of a joyful holiday film.” Overall, this is not only a movie to put you in the Christmas spirit, but one that is able to help you further understand how difficult being who you truly are can be.