This is one of those typical low-budget indie gay holiday movies that probably didn't get much attention when it first dropped. It used to be called 'Red Lodge' before they changed the name. While there are a few moments of actual comedy and sweet romance tucked away in here, they’re mostly hidden under a pile of mediocre acting, weird camera angles, and some really annoying choices by the characters. On the bright side, the whole thing only lasts about an hour, so it’s a quick watch if nothing else. The plot follows Jordan and Dave, a couple who have been together for a few years. Right before Christmas, Jordan pops the question, expecting a big "Yes!" but instead, Dave basically says, "Can't we just stay the way we are?" They head off on a train to spend the holidays with Jordan's aunt, bringing along Jordan’s "sister" Lisa—who was raised by the aunt—and her boyfriend. Most of the movie is just them bickering and talking through Jorda...
We meet a young Alan Carr just finishing primary school, ready to go to secondary school. His best friend and neighbor Charlie has been asked to not hang out with Alan because he is"not the sort" you wanna be associated with. His father is the football coach for the local town team and his mother is a very supportive mom, who picks up occasional fights with Charlie's mom and their banter is always funny. The father rages against his bottom-of-the-table players, and young Alan constantly runs away from bullies to find solace in the drama studio or conversations with school lunch serving ladies. The parents are in a state of denial that their theatrical little boy is… different, or “a bit half-rice, half-chips”, as a bitchy neighbor puts it. Throughout the six episodes we see how Alan struggles in school, at home, doesn't understand why he gets bullied and how his parents are both very supportive yet not there for him at the same time. This is until finally a musical drama happens and Alan accidentally discovers his penchant for standup comedy which would eventually become his full-time job.
The show reminded me a lot somehow of 'Young Sheldon' in many ways. This series was funny but can't match the dry humor of Sheldon. The actor playing young Alan is an absolute scene stealer in every single frame. If not for this brilliant child actor, the show would have completely fallen flat. With his big gap teeth, oversized specs and effete ways, this child actor is completely believable as Alan would really have been in his childhood. The way he runs, to use the word loosely, is hilarious in itself – while exuding the perfect mix of self-confidence and vulnerability that makes the hugely empathetic character work. The real Alan himself shows on more than one occasion as a narrator of the show and some witty scene stealing one-liners. Of course there is an underlying theme of Alan fighting against, or maybe just shrugging off, prejudice, but mostly it is quite subtle, the script seems to assume intelligent viewers already understand what is going on, rather than having to spell it out to them. It isn't quite perfect but lacks enough flaws to cause any real true disliking for it. It won't be memorable in the longer run and I won't be going out recommending this to everyone I meet, but I can see that if you are a fan of real Alan Carr, then how much you would love the show. You have to keep in mind that this is a sitcom whose sole purpose is to entertain. In that sense, this show has made a clear success of turning 1980s bigotry into a funny, feel good 20 minute episodes. I actually would not mind seeing a follow up season and see how the brilliant child actor takes it forward. (Special shout out to the kid playing Alan's younger brother. He doesn't have much to say or do besides the first and last episode, but his innocent baby face and 'I don't understand' expressions rooting for his kid brother definitely didn't go unnoticed by me). (6.5/10)
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