Make the Yuletide Gay

Make the Yuletide Gay, released in 2009, is an engaging romantic comedy in harmony with the spirit of the Christmas season. Directed by Rob Williams, this film is an amalgamation of light-hearted humor, poignant dilemmas, and palpable pure emotions. It features standout performances from Keith Jordan, Wyatt Fenner, and Steve Callahan, who successfully bring their distinctive personalities to the forefront and make for highly relatable characters.

The story unfolds through the life of Olaf 'Gunn' Gunnunderson, a lovable, openly gay college student masterfully played by Keith Jordan. He’s living his authentic life on campus, complete with a boyfriend, Nathan Stanford, in whom Wyatt Fenner breathes an endearing elegance. Their relationship centering around mutual respect, adoration, and a hefty dose of charm is refreshingly depicted.

The Christmas break, however, leaves our protagonist with a difficult situation to navigate. Gunn is heading back home to his Midwestern parents, thus, unable to maintain his open identity. Despite his modern, liberal mindset, he decides to go back into the proverbial closet for the holidays, fearing the reactions of his not-so-progressively-thinking parents, Anya and Sven Gunnunderson. It's this tension between Gunn's truthful identity and the mandatory withdrawal from it that gives Make the Yuletide Gay its gripping narrative.

Steve Callahan portrays the character of James Stafford, Nathan’s father, and his nuanced performance adds another shade to the already colorful palette of the movie. The dynamics of his relationship with his son portray a realistic image of parental struggles in understanding and accepting their children's sexuality.

The true magic happens when Nathan unexpectedly shows up at Gunn's doorstep, surprising him and his family. The ensuing hullabaloo stages cheerful holiday decorations and a concoction of hilarious and uncomfortable situations, proving the holidays can be hilarious and heart-warming affairs. This unexpected twist leads to a narrative journey bustling with ups and downs, misunderstandings, acceptance, and, above all, love.

What sets Make the Yuletide Gay apart is its ability to balance comedy and drama. While it brings a lot of laughter with its comic dialogues and situations, it never shies away from portraying the complexities of sexual identity and acceptance. It pulls at heartstrings one moment and commands laughter in the next, testing the all-around depth of its characters.

For those seeking a holiday-themed movie, the Christmas season is largely featured, giving a warm, festive atmosphere throughout the entire film. From traditional Yuletide decorations to jovial holiday jingles, it serves a great deal of Christmas holiday material. The tasteful and atmospheric cinematography effectively captures the brightness and cheer of the holiday season. This adds to the overall light-hearted and feel-good nature of the movie.

Despite being a comedy, Make the Yuletide Gay does not derogate the gravity of its theme. The anxiety Gunn feels about revealing his sexuality to his parents is anything but trite. Even the comic elements used throughout the movie, rather than downplaying this struggle, make it more relatable. The film throws light on powerful moments of self-disclosure and acceptance, packaged in a Thanksgiving bow.

In summary, Make the Yuletide Gay is a modern and progressive twist on the classic holiday movie genre. It smothers you with a warm holiday feel while highlighting the pertinent issues of sexual orientation and acceptance. The performances are stand-out, the humor is genuinely funny, and the script is finely tuned to keep the audience engaged and entertained. It's a heartwarming tale that reminds us that the best part of the holiday season is the love we share with others and the courage to be ourselves.