Offerings with LGBTQ themes have to play a high wire act; balancing between sensationalism on one side, and being sensitive and real on the other. These two do a fine job in portraying these themes, while entertaining, and being enlightening.

Happiest Season (Netflix USA) - Conceptualized as a Rom-Com, Clea DuVall and Mary Holland have come up with a smart and engaging screenplay about family, and DuVall directs with a sure hand for knowing when to inject the humor. Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis play the young lovers Abby and Harper, and much of the action has to do with Harper heading home for the holidays with Abby in tow; but her family don’t know about Abby, much less that Harper is even lesbian. It’s the family dynamics of three highly competitive daughters that come to play as the clueless parents played by Mary Steenburgen and Victor Garber, are in the midst of the father running for Mayor in their hometown.

Mary Holland herself plays Jane, the oft-ignored youngest daughter, and it’s a brilliant character. Allison Brie is the eldest daughter, while Daniel Levy of Schitt’s Creek pops up as Abby’s best friend. Aubrey Plaza is on board as a girl from Harper’s past. It’s all put together with charm, humor, and enough levity and touching moments to make this an unassuming little gem of a film. Some may feel some of the portrayals are caricatures, but I can assure you that I’ve met people like these in my life, and it’s totally funny to see them blown up on the screen. Rivalries,insecurities, keeping family secrets - they’re all fodder for the mayhem, comedy, and heartbreak that ensues. This may have a Christmas theme and seem out of season, but there’s something universal at work here.

Dance of the 41 (Netflix Mexico) - Set in Mexico in 1901, and chronicling a true to life incident that rocked the capital then, and became known as the scandal of the Maricon 41; this is a historical drama that doesn’t flinch from addressing the subject matter, while keeping the visuals on the side of tasteful. What basically happened was there was a police raid of the annual Ball of a private club. 42 men were arrested, several dressed as women; but when the men were charged, it was suddenly only 41 who faced public ridicule and punishment. The reason being that the son-in-law of then Mexican President Porfirio Diaz was among the men arrested.

Married to the President’s daughter, we examine the life of said son-in-law; and why, given his predilection, he still chose to marry. At the time, it was one of the first instances when homosexuality, seen as an affront against God and decency, actually made it to the front pages of the Mexican dailies. In its historical context, this becomes an eye-opener to why gay liberation was so important seventy years later, and how vestiges of this bias against freedom of gender choice still exists to this day. It’s a balanced depiction, and we’re also shown the frustration and bewilderment of the wife. Strong period piece with impressive attention to historical detail.