Happiest Season
Happiest Season | |
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![]() Official release poster | |
Directed by | Clea DuVall |
Screenplay by |
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Story by | Clea DuVall |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | John Guleserian |
Edited by | Melissa Bretherton |
Music by | Amie Doherty |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Hulu (United States) Sony Pictures Releasing (International) |
Release date |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
Happiest Season is an upcoming American romantic comedy film directed by Clea DuVall, from a screenplay written by DuVall and Mary Holland. The film stars Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Mary Holland, Victor Garber, and Mary Steenburgen.
Produced by TriStar Pictures, the film is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 25, 2020, by Hulu, and internationally on November 26, by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film has received positive reviews from the critics with praise drawn towards it's comedic and heartfelt writing, direction, and performances.
Premise
A young woman plans to propose to her girlfriend while attending her family's annual holiday party. At the party, she realizes her girlfriend has not come out to her conservative parents yet.[1]
Cast
- Kristen Stewart as Abigail “Abby”, Harper's girlfriend
- Mackenzie Davis as Harper Caldwell, Abby's girlfriend
- Mary Steenburgen as Tipper Caldwell, Harper's mother
- Victor Garber as Ted Caldwell, Harper's father
- Alison Brie as Sloane Caldwell, Harper's sister
- Aubrey Plaza as Riley, Harper's ex-girlfriend
- Dan Levy as John, Abby's friend
- Mary Holland as Jane Caldwell, Harper's sister
- Ana Gasteyer as Zelia, Poppy's mother
- Burl Moseley as Eric, Sloane's husband
- Sarayu Blue as Carolyn, Greg's mother
- Jake McDorman as Liam, Harper's ex-boyfriend
- Lauren Lapkus as Donna, Abby's friend
- Timothy Simons as Greg, Harper's friend
- Alyson Stoner as Poppy, Harper's friend
- Mila Kunis as Trish, Abby's friend
Production
Development
In April 2018, TriStar Pictures acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the film Happiest Season,[2] with Clea DuVall set to direct from a script she co-wrote with Mary Holland, and production by Marty Bowen and Isaac Klausner through their Temple Hill Productions and, with co-financing from Entertainment One, which will handle UK and Canadian distribution and Sony Pictures handling distribution elsewhere through the TriStar label.[3]
Casting
In November 2018, Kristen Stewart signed on to star in the film,[4] with Mackenzie Davis joining the cast in January 2019.[5] The remaining cast was rounded out in January 2020, with the additions of Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza and Dan Levy.[6]
Filming
Principal photography began on January 21, 2020 in Pittsburgh and wrapped on February 28, 2020, shortly before the film industry was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7][8]
Release
It is scheduled to be released digitally in the United States on November 25, 2020, by Hulu.[9] It was previously scheduled for a theatrical release on November 20, 2020, and later rescheduled to November 25, before it was purchased by Hulu due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] The film will still be distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Releasing under its TriStar Pictures label. The film's original soundtrack was released on November 6, 2020 through Warner Records and features songs by Anne-Marie, Bebe Rexha, Shea Diamond, Sia, Brandy Clark, Carlie Hanson, and Tegan and Sara among others.[12]
Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 91% based on 46 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "A jolly good time with heartfelt performances and more than enough holiday cheer, all you'll want for Christmas is Happiest Season."[13] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 69 out of 100 based on 14 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14]
Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B+ and described it as "a smart, heartfelt comedy whose small flaws are easily blotted out by bigger charms."[15]
References
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (January 22, 2020). "Mary Steenburgen, Dan Levy Join Kristen Stewart in Gay Rom-Com 'Happiest Season'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (April 20, 2018). "TriStar To Distribute 'Happiest Season' Comedy From Clea DuVall & Mary Holland". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ McNary, Dave (15 May 2019). "Film News Roundup: Kristen Stewart Rom-Com 'Happiest Season' Backed by Entertainment One". Variety. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (November 27, 2018). "Kristen Stewart to Star in TriStar's 'Happiest Season' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ McNary, Dave (January 24, 2019). "Mackenzie Davis Joins Kristen Stewart in Romantic Comedy 'Happiest Season'". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
- ^ 'Happiest Season': Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Dan Levy & More Round Out TriStar Comedy
- ^ "Kristen Stewart's 'Happiest Season' Movie Casting Call TriStar Pictures Casting Call". Project Casting. January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ Sciullo, Maria (January 8, 2020). "Kristen Stewart film 'Happiest Season' to shoot in Pittsburgh later this month". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (October 19, 2020). "Sony's Rom-Com 'Happiest Season' Skips U.S. Theaters for Hulu Debut". Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Stewart, John (May 15, 2019). "Kristen Stewart's 'Happiest Season' Sets November Release". theslanted.com. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (January 24, 2020). "Tom Holland's 'Uncharted' Moves Back 3 Months to 2021". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ "Happiest Season (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- ^ "Happiest Season (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "Happiest Season Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- ^ Greenblatt, Leah (November 19, 2020). "Christmas gets the lesbian romance it deserves in Hulu charmer Happiest Season: Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
External links
- 2020 films
- 2020 LGBT-related films
- 2020 romantic comedy films
- American films
- American Christmas films
- American LGBT-related films
- American romantic comedy films
- English-language films
- Films directed by Clea DuVall
- Films set in Pittsburgh
- Films shot in Pittsburgh
- Entertainment One films
- Hulu original films
- Lesbian-related films
- LGBT-related romantic comedy films
- TriStar Pictures films
- Upcoming films