The Merry Gentlemen

The Merry Gentlemen struggles to deliver a cohesive experience. The love story feels both forced and underdeveloped, lacking the emotional depth needed to make it believable. The part where the guys are dancing in the pub, intended to raise money, feels poorly executed-unconvincing in both its outcome and presentation. The movie's attempt at capturing a Christmas atmosphere also falls flat, missing the warmth and festive spirit expected from such a setting. Despite some potential, it ultimately feels disconnected and underwhelming. Giving it a 5 is kind of generous, i was honestly expecting a more fun and convincing movie.

6.7 stars.

Honestly, it's the actors that kept me around for this one. First of all, I like both of the lead actors, I think they have a screen presence that really bursts. The elderly parents are well known actors too. But this narrative is weak.

You have a bunch of guys who apparently don't know how to dance, and then they become quasi strippers, in a rundown mom and pop restaurant/bar/club.

I don't know what to make of the narrative because it's somewhat unorthodox.

The lead actress's character is a Broadway dancer for about 10 years or so, and then she gets canned. But she looks like she's 28, which speaks volumes of the fickleness of the theater crowd. And then you have male lead, Luke the handyman, who helps her parents keep their bar operating.

Lead female comes home from the city because she's no longer employed, and figures she can create a male dance routine to regenerate and bring customers back into this failing business.

The dance routines are average, with a couple of real dancers, and a couple of guys who don't really know how to dance, and it just comes together in a flimsy way that fails to entertain.

But I keep watching, because I really like the two lead actors, and I would probably be suckered into viewing anything they are in anyway. Kudos to the casting it's the only thing that kept this charade going.

Frankly, leave this to Hallmark, because they know Christmas movies. I know why Hallmark wouldn't touch it; it's because the dancing was stripper adjacent.

Ok this was alot better than I thought. The trailer made it seem like it was going to be a bad movie. But I was wrong. And to be honest I kinda tuned in for just Chad Michael Murray. I have not seen him act since the tv show One Tree Hill. And a movie he did a long time ago back in early 2000's called House of Wax and Freaky Friday. I have not seen him much in anything else. But it did feel good to see him act in a Netflix movie. And he got to dance his hotness out. I really did enjoy a PG hotness of a Christmas story. Something new that isn't the same old story but at the same time keeping it PG.

Watched this purely because Chad Michael Murray was in it but he provides the only believable performance out of everyone involved. I like Britt but this was a terrible performance by her, wooden, she looked like someone had dragged her to the set and forced her to do this movie. There was zero chemistry between the leads which was disappointing as I love a cheesy Christmas movie with a happy ending but I couldn't enjoy the happy ending because the chemistry was not there! This missed the mark alot! Basically abs, abs and more abs, are one of the few good parts of the movie! Think my hopes were too high for this one.

"The Merry Gentlemen" (2024) is a feel-good Christmas movie that delivers exactly what you'd expect: festive cheer, a dash of romance, and a healthy dose of shirtless men dancing. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it's a perfectly enjoyable watch for those seeking lighthearted holiday entertainment.

The film follows Ashley, a Broadway dancer who returns home for Christmas after a career setback. Determined to save her parents' struggling nightclub, she comes up with a rather unconventional plan: a male stripper show featuring local talent.

The premise is undeniably cheesy, but the film embraces its silliness with a wink and a smile. The dance sequences are surprisingly well-choreographed, offering a touch of "Magic Mike" magic to the holiday season. The film's humor is lighthearted and occasionally even laugh-out-loud funny.

The romance between Ashley and Luke, the charming carpenter who joins the dance troupe, is predictable but sweet. The chemistry between the leads is decent, and their relationship adds a heartwarming element to the festive storyline.

While the plot is predictable and the characters are somewhat one-dimensional, "The Merry Gentlemen" is a perfectly enjoyable holiday romp. It's a lighthearted and entertaining film that will leave you with a smile on your face and a touch of Christmas cheer.