Merry & Gay – Film Threat
It’s almost Christmas, and so comes the time for some Holiday Season features that cheer up the mood and lighten the heart. There is an endless list of such movies, and it’s a lengthy and injudicious discussion to rank them all. But, for what’s worth, they resonate well with the holidays’ vibes. Christin Baker’s Merry & Gay intends to do the same.
Merry & Gay is another addition to Baker’s LGBTQ+-focused features like, Season of Love and I Hate New Year’s. These are her previous two ventures, also set amid the holidays and revolving around the same theme. The film follows former high school sweethearts Becca Winters (Dia Frampton) and Sam Sheridan (Andi René Christensen). The two seemingly have drifted apart after Becca left for New York to pursue a career in theater, while Sam has stayed back home. However, when Becca returns for the holidays three years later, a spark reignites between them as their loved ones make way for their favorite couple to get together again.
The film’s beginning is quite a clever one. Becca plays Monica, the iconic character from F.R.I.E.N.D.S., in a stage adaptation of the show titled I’ll Be There For You. The stage has a ‘Central Pike’ set stood up and often references the globally famous show.
“A former high-school romance reignites when Becca returns home for Christmas and meets her old sweetheart Sam after three years.”
While the movie’s storyline is distinct from Baker’s previous films, it does share several similarities with them and other films of the genre. Two gay lovers searching for resolve in their complicated relationship, both possessing different traits; gathered with friends and family for holidays; and a subtle blend of happy feelings sparkling the entire scenario – all these elements constitute Merry & Gay. Some of them remind me of films like Happiest Season, but Merry & Gay still has the potential to leave its own impression.
The plot is predictable here. The film’s first act takes us through the distance that has grown between the former ‘couple of the town.’ Next, we see Becca trying to amend a few things with Sam, whereas the latter shows apprehension upon seeing their suppressed feelings return. The next act in this romantic comedy involves the old memories and a little meddling from friends and family taking effect in rebuilding affection between Becca and Sam. And these little moments of laughter and cheer shall take the audience to a Christmas-themed culmination.
But, it doesn’t mean that a resembling plot diminishes the experience of watching the movie.