Movie Review: Happiest Season (2020)

Genre: Romantic Comedy  

Director: Clea DuVall  

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, Daniel Levy  

Running Time: 102 minutes  

Synopsis: Abby (Kristen Stewart) is planning to propose marriage to her girlfriend Harper (Mackenzie Davis), and agrees to spend Christmas at the home of Harper's wealthy parents. On the way, Harper reveals that she has not yet told her parents (Victor Garber and Mary Steenburgen) that she's gay. Abby plays along, pretending to be Harper's roommate, and meets Harper's sisters (Alison Brie and Mary Holland), a secret lover from high school days (Aubrey Plaza), and a former boyfriend. With Harper acting straight, Abby feels neglected, and her gay friend John (Daniel Levy) arrives to help.

What Works Well: The stellar cast extracts best value out of the limited material. The individual and sometimes difficult coming out journey is handled with notable sensitivity, here placed in the context of offspring struggling to meet lifelong parental expectations and the imperative to project a "perfect" family image (Harper's father wants to run for Mayor). 

What Does Not Work As Well: The entire premise is built on the rickety foundation of Harper inviting her partner to meet her parents, but before telling them she's gay. The contrivances get worse when Harper emotionally abandons Abby and starts flirting with her ex-boyfriend. After a significant investment in multiple difficult family dynamics (Harper's two sisters have serious issues of their own), the resolutions quick snap back to convenient outcomes.

Key Quote:

John (to Abby): You deserve to be with someone who shouts their love for you from the rooftops!

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