How: Either via Hulu (in the US) or VOD (Canada and the U.K.)
Where: Either right here, in the open thread we’ve set up on Substack, or on Twitter with the hashtag #HappiestDames
We’ve seen a range of responses to the movie from friends since it’s been released, so we’re especially interested to see what we, as a group, make of it.
I think it was pretty good! Although I can't say that I was overjoyed that they ended up together in the end, which is kinda strange for a rom com. Their relationship didn't read as if they knew one another super well. I hope they have some more time and some therapy before they tie the knot.
At the end of the day, as a queer woman who’s comfort movies include The Family Stone and Dan in Real Life , I kind of loved it. It is Not Ideal but I was expecting much worse. There are also a lot of people who I think forget the very real terror of coming out and/or being a gay kid. Not an excuse but also not an indictment
I enjoyed it but felt like the movie wasn't sure who the main character was. I wish it was two separate movies, one about Abby and Harper's relationship and a separate one about Harper's family
I really like this movie! it def has flaws but as a lifelong fan of romantic movies, there's uhhhh a lot of questionable behavior in them and I still enjoy them haha
I'm really mad because I saw a great tweet yesterday that was like "only lesbians would make a movie about intense emotional suffering and name it Happiest Season" because that is perfect
yeah for sure. I kind of interpret it as a weird panic response? like, when I am at home, this is the person I know how to be. but it doesn't make it any less terrible.
YES! It has critical romance issue of the main couple not being worth cheering for. The jokes are great, these characters are well performed (including how awful this family is!) but I do not want these two people to be together at the end without serious therapy and a time jump
I think it was pretty good! Although I can't say that I was overjoyed that they ended up together in the end, which is kinda strange for a rom com. Their relationship didn't read as if they knew one another super well. I hope they have some more time and some therapy before they tie the knot.
I did appreciate they didn’t have her propose still!
At the end of the day, as a queer woman who’s comfort movies include The Family Stone and Dan in Real Life , I kind of loved it. It is Not Ideal but I was expecting much worse. There are also a lot of people who I think forget the very real terror of coming out and/or being a gay kid. Not an excuse but also not an indictment
I enjoyed it but felt like the movie wasn't sure who the main character was. I wish it was two separate movies, one about Abby and Harper's relationship and a separate one about Harper's family
also I live alone and getting to sort of "watch" this movie with other people was lovely so thanks for setting this up, dames
same!
I really like this movie! it def has flaws but as a lifelong fan of romantic movies, there's uhhhh a lot of questionable behavior in them and I still enjoy them haha
I do wish we had seen what a rock solid couple abby and harper were in action at the beginning of the movie.
Yeah, that's the biggest thing we're missing. We really only see Harper being TERRIBLE and then briefly, reactionarily remorseful.
listen. I liked it
they did so well making this fantasy book as fantasy as possible through the small bits we got
This book reading!!!
YES JANE!
The primary thing this movie shows me is how remarkably good The Family Stone is
I mean it is absolutely family stone if everything was 1000% more toxic.
Yeah, absolutely. I just think the family is too toxic for the ending to feel anything other than slapdash, you know?
The sisters bonding I definitely buy, but the parents aren't just going to-- on a dime-- suddenly embrace completely different values.
Exactly. They def imply a strong conservative attitude and then hand wave it away
Do you think the dad was visited by three Christmas spirits?
dad's christmas speech is.. not wildly impressive to me. sort of a low bar.
Yehhhhhh
I have a small appreciation for the realism of him not being suddenly perfect but also yeahhhhh
mostly for me it's the lack of acknowledgment that the campaign was clearly an ego thing, I think
As a fantasy nerd, I want to hear so much more about Jane's book!
OH MY GOD IS DAN GOING TO GET JANE'S BOOK PUBLISHED
HE WORKS WITH AUTHORS I FORGOT!
What did John mouth to Abby??
I love that poison and also the therapist
Omg they’re in A LOVES
I don't think I've ever seen one!!
Best and most crazy truck stops
OH MY god honey ofc that's not enough wth
I'm really mad because I saw a great tweet yesterday that was like "only lesbians would make a movie about intense emotional suffering and name it Happiest Season" because that is perfect
I saw that too haha. I do really like this movie personally! but dang I cried a whole lot while watching it.
I think it's honestly really well made except that it doesn't give us that much reason to believe in Abby and Harper as a couple before this begins.
OH. MY. GOD.
I actually really liked that talk
Ugh be is so good
EHHHHHHHHHH IDK Idk about this take
I really like John's speech here
(and I like Abby's response as well)
Well that was A Choice, writers
Jane is the fanciest!
The painting!!!! Nooooo
DOING THAT TO JANE'S PAINTING????????
Ooooohhh Harper you messed up
It’s a lovely painting!
Jane is such a gem!!
OH DAMN
Dan
Levy
acting
Straight
-- EVERYTHING
no one would see through it
I hear Harper here. But! She still certainly did not need to be spending every moment with Connor?
yeah for sure. I kind of interpret it as a weird panic response? like, when I am at home, this is the person I know how to be. but it doesn't make it any less terrible.
SHE DID IT OH GLORY BE WHEW!!!
THANK GOD FOR JOHN!!!!
WHAT AN ENTRANCE
YESSSSS
DAN
“She’s our super-mom” is the worst thing Harper’s dad says in this movie. The condescension!
COULD Abby look ANY GAYER
SHE COULD NOT
Now who’s keeping tabs girlllll
the best outfit of the movie is hereeeeee
I think this means Kristen Stewart's but I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR JANE'S
I love that Abby still has this dream of bonding with Harper’s dad.
I would like them to die in a fire, I think????
if I were Jane I would have stopped coming home years ago
I would have a million excuses every year. Weak excuses so they know I don't careeee
wow I really hate this family!!!!!!!!!!!
God Kristen Stewart is such a good actress I FUME when people say otherwise
Yeah, the acting and a lot of the writing in this movie is GREAT, they just don't know what on earth to do with the romantic arc.
YES! It has critical romance issue of the main couple not being worth cheering for. The jokes are great, these characters are well performed (including how awful this family is!) but I do not want these two people to be together at the end without serious therapy and a time jump
And Dan Levy remains the best!!
the very specific vignettes we get of his christmas break are wonderful
THAT HE IS BUYING A NEW FISH
The John botching pet sitting subplot is being perfectly executed
this family is terrible!!!!!!!
I think I've been on both sides of this conversation and it kinda makes me ill to watch. They did a good job with that.
they did. it hits a bit close to home for me too. and this idea that "if we just get a chance to spend some time together and talk..."
this scene makes me suspicious about how long harper and connor actually dated but that might just be me