Single All the Way

The Reel Review

Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his longtime bestie Nick (Philemon Chambers) to join him for the holidays at his family’s house in New Hampshire, where his mom sets him up on a blind date with her handsome personal trainer James (Luke Macfarlane). Her plan backfires when the rest of the family decides Nick, not James, is the man for Peter, in Netflix’s first LGBTQ+ themed Christmas movie.

OK, so now the queer community can claim the same corny, paint-by-number Christmas rom-coms that for years have been the holiday hallmark of the un-ironically named Hallmark Channel. Hurray. But where this film differs, besides the gay romantic angle, is a heavyweight comic lineup that includes Jennifer Coolidge, Jennifer Robinson (Schitt’s Creek) and Kathy Najimy. They actually are pretty fun to watch.

Can you detect the oh-so-predictable ending during the movie’s first five minutes? Absolutely. Does it really matter? Not really. This hokey, breezy Christmas movie has all the good-natured, feel-good charm and chuckles to get you in the holiday spirit.

REEL FACTS

• Michael Urie and Kathy Najimy both star in the TV comedy series, Younger, on Paramount+.

• Single All the Way is the feature film debut for out actor Philemon Chambers.

• Kathy Najimy and Single All the Way co-star Dan Finnerty (Singing Snow Plow Guy) have been married since 1998.