Wow I am baffled by people’s reaction to happiest season. I understand your sadness, this discourse is so hard to read :( Was not expecting this. I was talking to a friend the other day about why they decided on another in the closet/coming out story. But based on people’s reaction I stand corrected, those are obviously still needed….

Yeah… You know, the irony was, I wasn’t even that excited about it, when it was announced, I literally posted this: https://booasaur.tumblr.com/post/180630988565/me-a-new-ff-movie-with-recognizable-stars-and-a

And then I ended up thinking it was great! What an idiot I was. I wish now I hadn’t watched at all and just stayed away from it completely.

I don’t know if it’s needed, it’s certainly not effective. And people can say, all they want, how it’s because of Harper’s actions, because apparently they’re somehow decontextualized from her being closeted?, because in this situation THEY would never lie or briefly be a dick (and apologize), they would never put someone in this situation that apparently they had no choice to refuse, that basically, it’s Harper they find unsympathetic, not closeted people in general. 

Even though we can see the comments they make that kind of DO apply to closeted people in general! Oh, she’s cowardly but in a different way from us? She doesn’t deserve love but in a different way from us? That out people are better in general, more confident, mature, but only when we’re talking about fictional characters?

But you know what the rub of it is. I’ve been really deep in some fandoms with closeted characters, who were as sympathetic as they claim Harper should have been. Jade from The Rich Man’s Daughter, who attempted suicide and who was slapped around by her family? Rana from Corrie who was shaking and sobbing and humiliated when her parents found out? I saw how they were treated. I saw how people treated Sophie from Batwoman. I don’t want to hear about this perfect closeted person who behaves like an angel, as if they themselves aren’t the biggest victim of the homophobia around them.

Don’t you think that the plot of happiest season is very similar to merry happy whatever from last year, only gay? I mean, I’m sure it’s very similar to many Christmas movies but I spent a while thinking why it felt so familiar and I remembered this show. Every sibling with their secret and the guy wanting to propose on Christmas morning and all that. And his gf also messed up to the point he left.

Oh, that’s true, it is! And you know, that’s a great point?? I didn’t even think of that, but yes, this is a whole GENRE of holiday media where people act horribly under stress and then make up at the end, and it’s always unrealistic and unearned but you’re okay with it because you know away from this stretch of holidays, they’re fine, and will be fine after. But yeah, heh, it’s funny how similar it is, just…without any gay drama for the mains.

“I’m honestly a little sad and hurt at the attitude about closeted people I’ve seen from shockingly so many people, people who I know try to approach other things with kindness.” i feel the same way! i don’t expect everyone to like the movie because everyone has different tastes. but that’s not really what we’re seeing here: the level of hate harper is getting is completely over the top, something usually reserved for villains (and not the likable kind). very disappointed in fandom’s attitude

For real! Like, sure, she was a dick at times, you may not love her or even like her, but the complete dismissal of context altogether, no, that’s not fair at all.

Ugh I too am disappointed by so many peoples reactions to Happiest Season. I feel like so many people missed the point. We were supposed to dislike Harper’s actions because HARPER disliked who she was with her family but she couldn’t stop herself. It had been ingrained in her for so long – be the perfect daughter! And if she wasn’t perfect she’d lose their affections (like how Jane was nothing more to her family than the wifi fixer and Sloan was nothing more than the mother of biracial twins. They fell from their parent’s ideal of perfection so their parents withheld full love and acceptance of them). Sorry for the rant. I’m just so sad at some of the reactions. It’s like people forgot that closet people are closeted for a reason. This film resonated with so many people – being in love with someone but afraid to take them home for the holidays. Also it was a cute, meaningful film and I just don’t know why LGBT people feel like it’s cool to knock all of our media. I’m over it.

Regarding your last line, as I’ve said before, I’m always okay with LGBT people criticizing our media, it’s for us, we’re no more critical than anyone else, we can do that. 

But in this case, I do definitely have an issue with what that criticism is. Truly, the way people are acting about closeted people in general is eye-opening and hugely hurtful. I had no idea until now how many people don’t think of closeted people as…equally queer? Queer at all? Again and again, I’m seeing narratives where Harper is just…apparently choosing to be closeted for no reason at all, basically another straight person and deliberately treating Abby like this because she wants to or something. 

The problem isn’t that the movie isn’t clear enough about the point or that people missed it, it’s that they think she brought this on herself.

I’m sure you’re getting bombarded with Happiest Season anons lol but I just wanted to say that the relationship between Abby and Reilly was wonderful. It felt like a safe space for Abby, especially that night at the gay bar. The contrast between that bar and the other one with Harper was night and day. I loved that transition.

Heh, I hadn’t gotten many HS-related asks at all when you sent this. 

But yes, I thought it was great, and something where you really have to be aware of the queerness of the characters, that this role for Abby was filled by another wlw. And for sure, those two scenes provided a very effective deliberate contrast between where those two were and where Harper was.

Watching shows like Happiest Season proves yet again how I am in desperate need for more shows like this :( I need more wlw, real life is way too straight for my liking. I wish we could all be our real authentic selves without the hurt and the fear :( do you know of any more movies/shows coming out or have already come out, that are similar?

I get you, buddy. I’m not sure there are many movies like this, though. There’s A New York Christmas Wedding, and I guess Lez Bomb? Did you mean holiday themed movies or just where wlw characters are…happy? Not many more of the former, but for the latter there’s the first list here: https://booasaur.tumblr.com/post/633730364584656896/hey-any-lesbian-moviefilm-recs-for-me-or-a-list (except Battle of the Sexes, I think?)

I love that even you, that notoriously don’t watch many movies, watched happiest season. I think it was a kind of movie many of us were craving. I’m glad you enjoyed it too

Yeah! I really liked it, much more than I expected to.

Though, I was really happy at first to be sharing in this popular f/f thing, since I’ve missed out on some of the recent big communal experiences, I’m honestly a little sad and hurt at the attitude about closeted people I’ve seen from shockingly so many people, people who I know try to approach other things with kindness. I feel more distant from the community than before so it’s been a little soured for me, sadly.

I’m sorry I’m replying your positive ask like this and I’m truly glad other people are enjoying it! 🙂 We did all need something like this, especially this year.