Happiest Season (2020)

Directed by: Clea DuVall | 98 minutes | comedy, drama | Actors: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, Alison Brie, Mary Holland, Dan Levy, Burl Moseley, Aubrey Plaza, Sarayu Blue, Jake McDorman, Ana Gasteyer, Caroline Harris, Jenny Gulley, Dominique Lawson, Michelle Buteau

‘Happiest Season’ is a film that revolves around a universal truth: staying true to yourself. So, don’t deny yourself just to be accepted. Fulfilling what your parents would like to see, no reputation damage please…

Harper (Mackenzie Davis) is in a relationship with Abby (Kirsten Stewart), but she hasn’t “come out” to her parents about it yet. She invites Abby to spend Christmas with her family. He must then maintain that he is just a roommate of Harper’s. She’s saving the real coming out for after Christmas, that’s a promise.

Abby, who was already planning to propose to her friend over Christmas dinner, agrees to the terms. But, once arrived at the place of family salvation, the plans -of course- fall apart. There appear to be more ‘corpses in the closet’. Everyone in the separate family has something to confess, as it turns out. From eldest sister Sloane (Alison Brie) and mom Tipper (Mary Steenburgen) to dad Steve (Victor Garber), who is campaigning for mayor in passing.

In short: how a cozy family together during the happiest season (Christmas) ends in total chaos. Mama Tipper seems only concerned with appearances (photos for the Instagram page to convey the family feeling). Dad is doing his PhD and doesn’t really know much about his daughters’ lives. “Outsider” Jane (Mary Holland), the youngest sister, has been writing a book for ten years and tries very hard to get noticed. turn into.

The unexpected visits of Harper’s ex-boyfriend Connor (Jake McDorman), ex-girlfriend Riley (Aubrey Plaza) and the unplanned ‘rescue’ of Abby’s best gay friend John (a fun role by Daniel Levy) make it a Christmas to remember . The lesson that can be drawn from this is that we sometimes need a little time to realize how beautiful or good we actually have it.

‘Happiest Season’ is a family rombow with a fun, convincing cast. Although the story is not much to deal with, it remains entertaining and everyone contributes his/her acting role. Especially hilarious are the contributions of Jane and John. The scene in which Abby is put to the test by two security guards at a store also makes you laugh. Director Clea DuVall delivers a pleasant viewing experience with this film. A kind of ‘How I survived Christmas’, in other words: how a fairly messed up family gets to know each other again.