Season of Love

By: Lisa Steinberg

Tis the season to be jolly! Christmas time has come around and Hallmark Channel movies become a household tradition for many fans. However, from Tello Films comes Season of Love and it will provide that same holiday happiness you crave, but with queer centric storylines and characters who will have you ready to celebrate with a smile.

We open up Season of Love with it being just a few days before Christmas. We see an overwhelmed Lou (Jessica Clark) in her apartment struggling to juggle phone call after phone call as she is getting ready to leave. She’s gathering up all of the last-minute items she needs while balancing being on the telephone, unable to hear very well due to her noisy upstairs neighbors. As Lou finally exits her apartment, she bumbles everything in her arms while trying to close the door. Suddenly, she looks over and it is as if she is struck. An attractive woman, who we come to learn is named Kenna (Sandra Mae Frank), walks down the stairs of the complex and Lou is instantly smitten. As Kenna walks by Lou calls out to her and the woman’s companion to hold the gate, but the two go off as if they are ignoring her. When Kenna and her roommate (played by Matthew Bridges) end up hired to lend some helping hands at Lou’s burgeoning brewery, Lou learns that her attractive neighbor (who she is overtly crushing on) is actually deaf. Lou’s crush on Kenna leads her to start learning ASL and some charming and hilarious disaster filled interactions ensue between the two.

Cut to Iris (Emily Goss) in her wedding dress looking at herself in the mirror. What should be the best day for her life seems to be not so fairytale. With her friends around her and eyes stained with black tears from her running mascara, it’s evident we have a runaway groom situation. Iris’s friends decide they have to keep an eye on their pal for the night because of her emotional state. Unfortunately, though, they all have so much going on in their lives before the holiday. None the less, they both begrudgingly agree to “babysit” the almost bride. Meanwhile the runaway groom, Theo, contacts his nurturing sister Mardou (Laur Allen) to check on Iris for him as he says he is getting ready to head for the airport solo. When the beguiling Mardou takes over the role of watching Iris it seems these two have more in common than just Theo; an instant unspoken growing attraction. As the two spend more time together they both seem to struggle with their feelings which they aren’t sure how to act upon because of Iris’ relationship with Theo.

We next turn to a busking Sue (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) who is adorably strumming the guitar in a small band spreading some seasonal cheer to all who are outdoors. Sue seems shy and reserved and is sporting a super cute Santa hat. Sue meets up with her girlfriend, Janey (Janelle Marie), who has just returned from deployment. The two are ecstatic to be reunited, but it seems like Sue has a lot she is struggling with between taking care of her mom who is in remission from cancer and her singing talents. She tries, though, to keep her stress hidden because of her shyness. Janey is ready to take things to the next level with Sue, but when Janey decides to upload a personal video of Sue singing without her knowledge their future may not be as solid as Janey thought.

Writer Kathryn Trammell does an exceptional job in hitting the seasonal rom-com hallmarks of romance, heart-warming holiday magic and what can happen when we open our hearts and let love weave its wondrous work. Her writing is honest, engaging and filled with poignant emotions and tender touchstones through these connecting relationships. Every couple has equal screen time so no pairing feels stunted or stagnant, which is not an easy feat when it comes to rom-coms. The film is produced by Danielle Jablonski and Ashley Arnold and is directed by Tello founder Christin Baker. Baker does a magnificent job capturing the spirit and sweetness we see throughout the movie and bringing light to these captivating couples.

We are treated to a bevy of melt worthy moments throughout Season of Love. The will they/won’t they push and pull between Iris and Mardou with their palpable tension is intoxicating. Goss and Allen’s magnetic charge and chemistry is evident from the instant they appear together on screen. Sandy Mae Frank is enchanting as spitfire and sassy Kenna. Keep your eye on Frank as she is most definitely one to watch. If you haven’t yet, you’ll also want to check her out in “Daybreak” on Netflix and the upcoming movie Entangled. Additionally, the adorkable moments we see happen with the charismatic Clark inter-spliced between her and Frank during these continual amusing awkward flirty and fun moments that they share will bring a spark to your heart. Provost-Chalkley has this beautiful culminating moment towards the end of the movie that will steal your breath and show you the dynamic depth of range she truly possesses.

Season of Love hits the mark with multiple forms of representation done with respect, especially deaf representation where we see this confident multidimensional character who you will relate to and isn’t a plot device for a separate second centric smaller arc. She is a main character who lives and loves without boundaries. Season of Love has stand out stories told from the queer perspective and it’s produced, directed and written by queer filmmakers.

On a personal note, having Trammell as a previous reporter for the Starry Constellation Magazine staff, as well as a dear friend, it’s been such a pleasure to see her talents shine. Kathryn is always conscious of the spirit, passion and positivity within the LGBTQ community and the projects she takes on are done so knowing the impact, importance and value that the community deserves. I am so inspired by and proud of her not only with her work on Season of Love, but beyond as well with her dedication to diversity and creating content which will be beacon to other community members that they can look to as an uplifting leading light. Thank you, Kathryn, for all that you do, and for making a film that will make hearts feel as warm and full as our favorite seasonal beverages do. We can’t wait to see what you are working on next.

Want to make the holiday gay and bright? Check out Season of Love for your festive fix. Get tickets to a screening near you and/or give yourself a gift by preordering a copy of the film at SeasonOfLoveMovie.com, as it comes out on December 1st! This movie is guaranteed to be your new holiday time honored tradition to treasure for seasons to come.