Family members can be hard to tolerate, let alone love, at times. In fact, in some cases, it can be so burdening that the only way to stay sane is to get away from them altogether. Such is the case for twentysomething Hailey MacEachran (Em Haine), who leaves behind her family in smalltown Nova Scotia and heads west to start anew in Calgary. She seeks to escape the relentless criticism of her shamelessly callous, overbearing, self-absorbed mother, Olga (Kari Matchett), and the cloying annoyances of her needy, nerdy younger sister, Rose (Caitlynne Medrek). Hailey’s departure comes rather suddenly in the wake of the death of her adoring father, Roger (Billy MacLellan), a tragedy that Olga unfairly blames her for, particularly since he suffered from a chronic heart condition that steadily weakened his health. And, after 10 years of being away, Hailey has succeeded in building a fulfilling new life for herself with her loving lesbian partner, Syd (Riley Reign). But, when Hailey unexpectedly receives a tearful, pleading phone call from Rose, she’s reluctantly coaxed into returning home to address a pressing family emergency. However, when she arrives back East, she’s confronted with a string of surprises, frustrations and ghosts from her past, forcing her to assertively confront these challenges while also engaging in some profound soul-searching and heart-tugging reminiscing. Heavy as the foregoing might sound, though, the picture’s narrative actually provides the foundation for an often-hilarious dysfunctional domestic comedy with just enough dramatic moments to keep it all honest and realistic without becoming schmaltzy or overly sentimental. In her second feature effort, writer-director Sandi Somers has produced a delightful and touching yet frequently sidesplitting romp about how to stand up for oneself while attempting to forge a satisfying life and trying to manage thorny relations with relatives who are often impossible to get along with. The picture is particularly admirable for featuring a story with a gay protagonist but without making her sexuality the central focus of the plot. Instead, the film places its many quirky twists and turns at center stage, allowing these story elements to dominate and nestling its LGBTQ+ aspects less conspicuously in the background, reflecting a trend I’m pleased to see being put to use with greater frequency in this genre. “Hailey Rose” is a charming gem that has somehow flown beneath the radar but that definitely deserves a higher profile and wider recognition, not just for fans of gay cinema, but for cinephiles of all stripes. This one may be a little hard to find, but it’s well worth a look – especially if you’re seeking a way to avoid spending time with your relatives.

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