
John so eloquently points out that parents have all sorts of reactions to finding out that their children are gay. Lastly, there’s the fact that family is never easy to deal with. Plus, coming out is never an easy task, no matter the age this is one of the themes that the film is centered around. While it is enticing to believe that Riley and Abby make a better pair, it is also imperative to remember that Harper and Abby must have faced many odd situations together in their relationship. Sure, they have a great rapport, but there’s also the fact that they don’t have any history together. They do have a natural chemistry, and it makes one wonder if they would make a better couple. Naturally, since Abby is feeling isolated, she looks to Riley for companionship, especially since the ex-girlfriend is one of the few people who acknowledges Abby’s presence in the first place.
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It’s just that they come from very different worlds, and neither of them is able to figure out how to cope with their new setting. There is a clear problem of miscommunication. But while neither of them did anything wrong, things still turn sour when Harper starts feeling restricted by Abby. We can’t really fault Harper for wanting to chill with her friends, and we don’t blame Abby for wanting to go home either. You see, Abby wants to go home, whereas Harper wants to stay and hang out with her friends (which soon turns into her hanging out with her ex, Connor). Post the drinks, when Abby goes to meet Harper at Fratty’s, she is completely sidelined yet again. Given that Riley understands Harper so well because they have literally grown up together, she is able to be the friendly hand that Abby needs at the moment. Now, add to this equation the calm and collected Riley, and one definitely ponders what a hypothetical relationship between the two would look like. Plus, even though you may empathize with Harper and her background, you will end up feeling much worse for Abby and how she is being treated by her own girlfriend. Abby, however, has no such social conditioning weighing her down. This is one of the many glimpses we are given into Harper’s psyche it just reiterates that impressions and validation matter a lot to the protagonist.

They go to a drag bar to grab a couple of drinks, which is when Riley reveals that Harper outed the ex-girlfriend in high school out of fear, which led to Riley being ostracized by the kids. That night, Abby dines alone and then runs into Riley, Harper’s first-ever girlfriend. Harper also makes excuses by saying that Abby would not have enjoyed the stuffy, politically motivated scene anyway. Would Riley Have Been a More Suitable Match for Abby?Īfter Abby is somewhat shamed for being a shoplifter (even though she is innocent), she is disinvited to the dinner party.
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The rest of the movie follows the lovers as they try their best to hide their relationship while not crumbling apart themselves. Nonetheless, she promises Abby that she will come out of the closet when the festivities end.


Her father is a politician, so the public image is what matters the most. However, on the way to her parents’ house, Harper reveals that she never came out to her family as the pressure is just too much. Touched by the gesture, Abby agrees.Ībby even wants to propose to Harper on this vacation. Swept up with emotion, Harper then invites Abby to spend the holidays with her family. One night, while strolling through a beautifully decorated neighborhood, they share a very loving moment. For the former, it is a sad time of the year that reminds her of her parents’ passing, whereas for the latter, it is about all things festive. Abby and Harper, who are in love, have conflicting notions of Christmas.
