Clea DuVall & Mary Holland Interview: Happiest Season
We interview Happiest Season director Clea DuVall and co-writer Mary Holland about working with the film's cast, its universal story, and much more.
Happiest Season is the latest Christmas movie of 2020, bypassing theaters and becoming safely available to stream now through Hulu. While it brings a familiar charm to the holidays, it also adds an extra layer of representation through the primary love story of Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis).
Directed by Clea DuVall from a script she co-wrote with Mary Holland, the film holds personal significance to each and seeks to bring together many viewers who feel left out of certain traditions. The creators spoke to Screen Rant about their own inspirations for the film and the conversations they had with actors when bringing it to life.
Mary, you both co-wrote this movie together, and it's uniquely universal. What were some of the movies that inspired you when creating this project?
Mary Holland: I mean, we're both big fans of holiday and Christmas movies. And I feel like, tonally, when we knew we wanted it to be a comedy - to have these moments of humor and joy - I feel like Home Alone was definitely an inspiration. As far as the complicated family dynamics, and the just fun with that specific time of year, the movie that does that so well. And I think that was an inspiration.
Clea, the film is beautifully directed, and this cast is amazing. The casting really stands out from Victor Garber to Aubrey Plaza, Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis. Everyone feels so authentic. How did you work with these actors to bring those three-dimensional characters to life?
Clea DuVall: Well, with each person who was cast, I had conversations with them. We met, we talked through the script, we talked about the character - because actors always have such a great insight into their own characters, even more than the writers and the director. So, it was really allowing them to have a voice and bring themselves to it.
It really felt that by the time we got to set, they really had ownership of their roles. It all felt very lived in and, when everyone showed up day one, it just felt like everyone was so locked in. It was really remarkable to watch them all work.
Mary, speaking of acting: how much of Jane is in you?
Mary Holland: 99.99%. She feels very much like me, and I think really a more free, more heightened version of me that I dream of being. She exhibits such uninhibited self-love, and that is something I really admire about Jane.
Clea, despite the holidays being one of the happiest times of the year, it simply isn't for a lot of people that are trying to find acceptance. What do you hope a lot of those people can get from Happiest Season?
Clea DuVall: That the holidays are complicated time. I am aware of that, and I am a person who also finds the holidays a little complicated. So I really hope this movie can make those people feel seen and feel not so alone.