Movie Review: Happiest Season

 

Harper Caldwell (Mackenzie Davis) takes her girlfriend Abigail Holland (Kristen Stewart) to spend the holidays with her family. Abigail is the name of a concept album from King Diamond, which itself inspired the name of a sex-crazed black metal band from Japan. That has nothing to do with the movie, forgive me. Besides, they call her Abby 99% of the time. Tension arises when Harper reveals her family doesn’t know she’s a lesbian and Abby will have to pose as her roommate until Harper feels comfortable coming out.

Hiding their relationship leads to what doesn’t rise to the level of antics, but is still well outside recognizable human behavior. There are the routine misunderstandings, awkward dinners, and close calls. The one interesting detail of the plot is that Harper’s parents aren’t bible-thumpers. Her father (Victor Garber) is running for mayor, and though his speeches include vague references to “family values,” Harper’s reluctance is due to fear of hindering his campaign rather than offending his moral convictions. When everything inevitably comes out, it turns out Harper’s two sisters also feel stifled by their father’s insistence on projecting an image of a perfect family. It’s about overbearing parenting rather than bigotry.

That doesn’t let the movie off the hook. A parent you were justifiably worried about coming out to wouldn’t have a change of heart overnight. The audience for Happiest Season wouldn’t have it another way. They’re the type to make sure romance stories have the HEA tag before jumping in. They want a cozy visit to a world where any relationship can be mended with a heartfelt speech. You may question then why I chose to watch this. I have no one to blame except myself, since the trailer was clear about what was in store. My judgment was clouded by the fact that not only does Kristen Stewart play a lesbian, but so does Aubrey Plaza. There was a chance the movie could save me the trouble of writing a hot fan fiction.

Harper Caldwell (Mackenzie Davis) and Abigail Holland (Kristen Stewart) share a moment.

If you have an interest in the movie as base and particular as mine, don’t bother. Though their scenes are not sexy, Stewart and Plaza deserve a tip of the hat for their chemistry. Plaza plays Riley Johnson, an ex of Harper’s who has a thing for Abby. Abby and Riley’s unfulfilled romance is the most grounded part of the movie. There seems to be a genuine attraction between the two, both portrayed by actresses known for their reserved personae. Stewart gets called a bad actress by people who confuse acting with emoting, who’ve never met a quiet person, who didn’t understand who Twilight appealed to and why.

The cast is filled with actors working harder than the material merits. Alison Brie plays Harper’s sister Sloane with such unblinking severity she’s near unrecognizable. She’s the type of high-strung, uptight mega-mom whose beauty is too regimented to be attractive. Mary Holland plays Harper’s other sister, Jane, a daft wannabe fantasy writer who would be a fun character in a better movie. Dan Levy plays the stock gay friend with prancing flamboyance. He harangues Abby for the first half of the movie, but when given decent material, he delivers the movie’s few funny lines. Mackenzie Davis is tall.

Riley Johnson (Aubrey Plaza)

We’re long past the time when gay movies were issue movies with very important messages. Gays are no longer relegated to indie dramas. It’s full integration. Now they get to make bad movies too. A defense of Happiest Season would be that it’s inoffensive, which is true. Even content-wise this barely earns its PG-13 (they don’t even use their one F-bomb). If you just want a nice time where you can imagine having your own gay bestie who says the right thing when you most need it, then have at it, I guess, but I can’t recommend spending 100 minutes watching Kristen Stewart and Aubrey Plaza not make out.

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  1. The Girlie Show Member
    The Girlie Show
    @CatIII

    Only tangentially related to the movie at hand, but I just found out Aubrey Plaza co-wrote a children’s book called The Legend of the Christmas Witch:

    https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pKyb+kOYL._AC_SY780_.jpg

    I like the cover illustration.

    • #61
  2. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):
    Die Hard – A couple fools around during the office party. Several shots of topless women.

    Not to mention all the shootings, explosions and mayhem, kinda puts away the peace on earth, goodwill to all mankind messages that would normally be associated with a Christmas movie.

    • #62
  3. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):
    Die Hard – A couple fools around during the office party. Several shots of topless women.

    Not to mention all the shootings, explosions and mayhem, kinda puts away the peace on earth, goodwill to all mankind messages that would normally be associated with a Christmas movie.

    Yes but, as I believe movie reviewer/critic Sonny Bunch and others have noted, it’s still a “Christmas Movie” in that what other occasion would there be for that many people to be gathered at the office, after hours, for a party?

    • #63
  4. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    It’s true as far as movies specifically about gays and gay issues, not movies that happen to feature a gay supporting character. As far as most movies featuring a gay character, I saw twelve new releases this year, and two of them featured gay characters. Two, and I don’t try to avoid movies with LGBT references.

    Consider the percentage of gays in the overall population, that shouldn’t be surprising. The issue seems to be that when gay characters do appear, they generally qualify for sainthood.

    I’m not saying there should (or shouldn’t) be more representation. I’m disputing that it’s ubiquitous. As far as making gay characters too good, it’s a matter of the quality of writing. Well written gay characters will have flaws, and can even be evil like anyone else. Noam Blum tweeted this video awhile ago that offered an interesting perspective from a transwoman that agrees a lot of media representation is too afraid to portray trans (you can switch that out for gay) characters in anything but the best light. I haven’t watched the entire video, but agree that that’s boring, unrealistic and patronizing. The video is notable in that the creator is a left winger and not a Blaire White.

    Someone – it may have been George Will, boo hiss! – noted in the past that progress in race relations wasn’t when the first black coach was hired for pro football or something, it was when the first black coach was FIRED from pro football or something.

    • #64
  5. OccupantCDN Coolidge
    OccupantCDN
    @OccupantCDN

    kedavis (View Comment):

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):
    Die Hard – A couple fools around during the office party. Several shots of topless women.

    Not to mention all the shootings, explosions and mayhem, kinda puts away the peace on earth, goodwill to all mankind messages that would normally be associated with a Christmas movie.

    Yes but, as I believe movie reviewer/critic Sonny Bunch and others have noted, it’s still a “Christmas Movie” in that what other occasion would there be for that many people to be gathered at the office, after hours, for a party?

    Yes totally agree. Its one of my favorite Christmas movies, but for a lot of people, its a hard sell.

    • #65
  6. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    I like my Christmas movies without references to sex thanks, orientation irrelevant. Nothing would induce me to watch this.

    Fair enough.

    There is no sex scene in the film, the drama of the film is about the daughter being closeted, and foolishly brings her girlfriend home for Christmas… Its kinda like “Guess who’s coming to dinner”, but everyone is white, and none are as talented as Sidney Poitier.

    Is there a recent Christmas movie that you enjoyed?

    No. I liked Elf but I don’t love it.

    It doesn’t even matter if it’s not explicit, I don’t want subversion at Christmas. That’s usually the point anyway.

    It’s not like I don’t have gay relatives or friends, their life is their own business. But plots and stories are never incidental anymore, it’s always The Message as Critical Drinker calls it that’s the point of the film’s existence. So even if the 2 women aren’t going at it the point is made. So I don’t want subversion anymore than I want perversion, Love Actually being an example of the latter.

    What about “Crazy, Stupid, Love?”

    I haven’t seen it and wasn’t aware there was anything Christmassy about it. I do remember an irritating trailer for it that put me off it, Emma Stone and one of the Ryans isn’t it?

    I wasn’t referring to Christmassy, I was thinking about whether you thought another movie with a somewhat-similar title also had “subversion.” Or “perversion.” I don’t recall any homosexual characters in it, but it might be seen as playing a bit fast and loose with marriage. Although as I recall, things turned out well in the end.

    Oh right. I’m not so precious about  ordinary films. Just don’t mess with Christmas ones. 

    • #66
  7. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    Only tangentially related to the movie at hand, but I just found out Aubrey Plaza co-wrote a children’s book called The Legend of the Christmas Witch:

    https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pKyb+kOYL._AC_SY780_.jpg

    I like the cover illustration.

     

    Is Aubrey related to Nakatomi?

     

    See the source image

    • #67
  8. Noell Colin Coolidge
    Noell Colin
    @Apeirokalia

    Abigail is a song performed by Kim Bendix Petersen better known by his stage name King Diamond, who is not apart of a band form “Japan” but a Danish rock musician.
    I have first hand knowledge of this band as I was up close in a mosh pit while they were playing that very song, among others. 
    Holding the less tasteful aspects, I find moshing to them quite enjoyable. Furthermore, if you pause moshing or prefer to rock out without moshing, they put on one of the better shows. The whole thing is somewhat of a opera, there is a whole story playing out on stage during the show. Very entertaining. He is also able to hit some pretty rad notes unlike anyone else I’ve seen live. 
    I’d give King Diamond a 9.8/10 

     

    I expect full retraction and published apology for the Japan thing. 
    Also if you are into Japanese music, they have the best “baby metal” artists. Definitely worth taking a look at. In my opinion they are more talented and clothed than their Jpop counterparts. 

    • #68
  9. Pagodan Member
    Pagodan
    @MatthewBaylot

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    OccupantCDN (View Comment):

    Marjorie Reynolds (View Comment):

    I like my Christmas movies without references to sex thanks, orientation irrelevant. Nothing would induce me to watch this.

    Fair enough.

    There is no sex scene in the film, the drama of the film is about the daughter being closeted, and foolishly brings her girlfriend home for Christmas… Its kinda like “Guess who’s coming to dinner”, but everyone is white, and none are as talented as Sidney Poitier.

    Is there a recent Christmas movie that you enjoyed?

    No. I liked Elf but I don’t love it.

    It doesn’t even matter if it’s not explicit, I don’t want subversion at Christmas. That’s usually the point anyway.

    It’s not like I don’t have gay relatives or friends, their life is their own business. But plots and stories are never incidental anymore, it’s always The Message as Critical Drinker calls it that’s the point of the film’s existence. So even if the 2 women aren’t going at it the point is made. So I don’t want subversion anymore than I want perversion, Love Actually being an example of the latter.

    What about “Crazy, Stupid, Love?”

    Is that a Christmas movie?

    • #69
  10. The Girlie Show Member
    The Girlie Show
    @CatIII

    Noell Colin (View Comment):

    Abigail is a song performed by Kim Bendix Petersen better known by his stage name King Diamond, who is not apart of a band form “Japan” but a Danish rock musician.
    I have first hand knowledge of this band as I was up close in a mosh pit while they were playing that very song, among others.
    Holding the less tasteful aspects, I find moshing to them quite enjoyable. Furthermore, if you pause moshing or prefer to rock out without moshing, they put on one of the better shows. The whole thing is somewhat of a opera, there is a whole story playing out on stage during the show. Very entertaining. He is also able to hit some pretty rad notes unlike anyone else I’ve seen live.
    I’d give King Diamond a 9.8/10

     

    I expect full retraction and published apology for the Japan thing.

    You misread my passage. I attributed the album Abigail to the Danish band King Diamond, and also explained that the album inspired the name for the band Abigail who are from Japan. Here’s a link to their NSFW page on Encyclopedia Metallum (offensive album/song titles and explicit album covers).

    Also if you are into Japanese music, they have the best “baby metal” artists. Definitely worth taking a look at. In my opinion they are more talented and clothed than their Jpop counterparts.

    No offense, but I hate those bands with the exception of Necronomidol who I give a pass for having Maruo Suehiro do their cover art. I love Japanese rock and metal. My favorite band, Sabbat, is Japanese (I have over 40 hours of their music on my laptop). I could name dozens of others, including plenty with female members, but I prefer they stay miles away from J-pop.

    • #70
  11. Noell Colin Coolidge
    Noell Colin
    @Apeirokalia

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    Noell Colin (View Comment):

    Abigail is a song performed by Kim Bendix Petersen better known by his stage name King Diamond, who is not apart of a band form “Japan” but a Danish rock musician.
    I have first hand knowledge of this band as I was up close in a mosh pit while they were playing that very song, among others.
    Holding the less tasteful aspects, I find moshing to them quite enjoyable. Furthermore, if you pause moshing or prefer to rock out without moshing, they put on one of the better shows. The whole thing is somewhat of a opera, there is a whole story playing out on stage during the show. Very entertaining. He is also able to hit some pretty rad notes unlike anyone else I’ve seen live.
    I’d give King Diamond a 9.8/10

     

    I expect full retraction and published apology for the Japan thing.

    You misread my passage. I attributed the album Abigail to the Danish band King Diamond, and also explained that the album inspired the name for the band Abigail who are from Japan. Here’s a link to their NSFW page on Encyclopedia Metallum (offensive album/song titles and explicit album covers).

    Also if you are into Japanese music, they have the best “baby metal” artists. Definitely worth taking a look at. In my opinion they are more talented and clothed than their Jpop counterparts.

    No offense, but I hate those bands with the exception of Necronomidol who I give a pass for having Maruo Suehiro do their cover art. I love Japanese rock and metal. My favorite band, Sabbat, is Japanese (I have over 40 hours of their music on my laptop). I could name dozens of others, including plenty with female members, but I prefer they stay miles away from J-pop.

    Ah, I didn’t get that you ware talking about Abigail the band and not Abigail the song. On a second read it appears you were indeed talking about a different band. lol 
    On the subject of oriental metal, thoughts on Mongolian folk metal like the Hu? 

    • #71
  12. The Girlie Show Member
    The Girlie Show
    @CatIII

    Noell Colin (View Comment):

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    You misread my passage. I attributed the album Abigail to the Danish band King Diamond, and also explained that the album inspired the name for the band Abigail who are from Japan. Here’s a link to their NSFW page on Encyclopedia Metallum (offensive album/song titles and explicit album covers).

    Also if you are into Japanese music, they have the best “baby metal” artists. Definitely worth taking a look at. In my opinion they are more talented and clothed than their Jpop counterparts.

    No offense, but I hate those bands with the exception of Necronomidol who I give a pass for having Maruo Suehiro do their cover art. I love Japanese rock and metal. My favorite band, Sabbat, is Japanese (I have over 40 hours of their music on my laptop). I could name dozens of others, including plenty with female members, but I prefer they stay miles away from J-pop.

    Ah, I didn’t get that you ware talking about Abigail the band and not Abigail the song. On a second read it appears you were indeed talking about a different band. lol

    No worries.

    On the subject of oriental metal, thoughts on Mongolian folk metal like the Hu?

    Don’t listen to much folk metal. Will have to give The Hu a listen and get back to you. Thanks for the recommendation.

    • #72
  13. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Altan Urag.

    • #73
  14. The Girlie Show Member
    The Girlie Show
    @CatIII

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Altan Urag.

    Gesundheit.

    • #74
  15. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Altan Urag.

    Gesundheit.

    Yes.  They did music for the Netflix mini-series on Marco Polo some time ago.

    • #75
  16. The Girlie Show Member
    The Girlie Show
    @CatIII

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Altan Urag.

    Gesundheit.

    Yes. They did music for the Netflix mini-series on Marco Polo some time ago.

    I watched the first episode of that, but never finished it. Guess I have another band to listen to.

    • #76
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