Buy Happy Holidays on DVD

Happy Holidays

DVD-R

More Info

In stock and ready to ship

$14.99 (40% off)
List Price: ~~$24.99~~

When new special editions or price reductions are announced.

Synopsis

A fantastic comedic ensemble cast from stage, screen and television come together in a black and white indie comedy about friendship, the holidays...and religious pluralism. An Atheist, a Catholic and a Jew walk into a bar... What starts as a punchline blooms into Happy Holidays, a comedy about friendship, family and faith. Three childhood friends unexpectedly reunite in their New England hometown the week before Christmas. Now in their mid-thirties, it's the first time Patrick, Alden and Kirby have been in the same zip code since their high school graduation. Each of them is at a different crossroads in his life and facing difficult hurdles. They try to pick up where they left off, a simpler time -- before obligations, politics, agendas -- but has life taken them too far to make that possible?

Alden is a recent convert to Judaism. He currently lives in Chicago, but is constantly on the move. Alden has major commitment issues. Kirby is a staunch Catholic, who uses his faith to justify his moral lapses. Kirby is in town from Baltimore, where he lives with his wife and kids. And Patrick still lives in his parents' house in Connecticut (which he purchased from them; they live in Maine.) A self-proclaimed Atheist, Patrick is also one of the only openly gay men in town. Patrick's parents, coincidentally, have major issues with the fact that he's gay (or so he thinks...). The story really centers on Patrick, whose life is becoming more and more complicated, especially around the holidays. Not only is he dealing with his parents' lack of acceptance for his lifestyle (or his own perception of their lack of acceptance), but he is also trying to figure out where his relationship stands with his partner, Kevin. Should he stay with Kevin? Should he continue living in his parents' house? What does he want to do with his life? Patrick conveniently puts these issues on hold while he attempts to help his friends with their problems. Alden arrives a day before Christmas Eve. He is running from his longtime girlfriend who has just proposed to him. Kirby arrives the same day, but he's in town for his estranged father's funeral. Patrick and his friends spend the next forty-eight hours trying to relive the past. In doing so, they ultimately discover that the past.

Review

Add Happy Holidays to your list of gay-themed flicks not to miss during the Holiday season - right next to Make the Yuletide Gay and 24 Nights!

Three dear childhood friends (one gay, two straight) reunite, unexpectedly, on Christmas Eve in their small Connecticut hometown. What starts out as a plesent surprise soon turns sour as the trio is subjected to some jarring life-evaluations. Are they really where they expected to be in their late-30s? And, if not, is there still a chance for all three of them to be happy and content with what they have?

The men in this film might not be as cute as the delicious twinks of 24 Nights and Make the Yuletide Gay, but with fast-paced dialog, realistic performances and some truly hilarious set-pieces, this undiscovered, black-and-white indie from first-time director James C. Ferguson is a gay-friendly must-see for both Christmas and Hanukkah!

-- Robert O'Neill

Product Format Information

DVD-R : $14.99

Availability: In stock and ready to ship
Region Code: 1
UPC: 807839005677
Catalog #: DR3276342

Studio : Scale Plus Points

Customer Reviews

Save your shekels

Marty wrote on 01/06/2012:

If unsympathetic characters ranting at each other is your thing, this movie is for you. The tender closing moments of the film don't make up for the rest. Sorry.

Kind of Boring

HJohnson wrote on 12/10/2011:

If they had cut about 40 minutes off of this film it might have been better. It was boring. For something labeled as a "comedy", it wasn't so much. And I'm still not sure why it was in black and white. Trying to be artsy? Who knows. I'm just glad I found it for free on Hulu and didn't actually have to pay anything to watch it.

Coming Together for Christmas

Amos Lassen wrote on 08/18/2011:

It has long been an American tradition to go home or Christmas and here is a film that takes us to Connecticut where three friends reunite during the holiday. Here is a story about growing up, growing apart and then coming together. But it is a bit deeper than that—this is a comedy but it takes a deep look at perception and reality and how we make things difficult for ourselves. We have three characters, each with a different perspective on life. Alden (John B. Crye) recently converted to Judaism and calls Chicago home when he is not on the move. He also has issues with commitment. Kirby (Thomas Rhoads) is Catholic and staunchly so. He has learned well how to use his religion when he has lapses in morality (convenient, no?) and he lives in Baltimore with his wife and children. Patrick has not yet left home and he lives in the house he bought from his parents and he is the only OPENLY gay man in his Connecticut town. Patrick is also an atheist and he thinks that his parents have issues with his sexuality. Patrick is the character around who the story revolves.
Patrick’s life gets more complicated around the holidays. He and his partner Kevin are at a turning point and he is also thinking about his parents and their non-acceptance of his lifestyle. He has some decisions to make but none as serious as he thinks they are. He decides to put his problems on the back burner so that he can help his friends with their problems.
Alden arrives running from his ex-girlfriend who just asked him to marry her. The next day Kirby comes home for his father’s funeral and for the next two full days, the three try to remember the past that does not want to be remembered. The guys go back to the 1980’s but they also realize that the present is very real and they have to deal with who they are, as both adults and friends.
This is a comedy about friends, faith and family and the guys come together for the first time since high school graduation and now they are in their thirties. Each is at a different place in his life and they try to pick up where they were when their lives were simpler.
Patrick (Paul Hungerford) is central to the action and this is where the gay theme comes in. Everything seems to revolve around him and he is, after all, the only one who still lives in the town. And Patrick is a mess. Outwardly he seems happy but he is really totally unhappy with his life. Hungerford is perfect as Patrick as a down-to-earth guy with problems but with enough wit to be clever.
I absolutely love the wit in this film and this is a real talkie. Pay careful attention or you might miss a wonderful pearl of wisdom. Ultimately the characters are able to deal with themselves. Patrick, unfortunately, ends up looking like something is missing in him and his final scene with his father makes us wonder if there had ever been a relationship between the two or if they had ever seen each other before.
The film is in black and white and I am sure you will understand why. Again, a lot is said and if you miss something you missed it. You do not want that to happen.