Single All The Way is Netflix's first gay holiday rom-com, and it is absolutely delightful. While the storyline is predictable (i.e., fake relationships and friends to lovers tropes are well-trodden in the Christmas movie genre), the film is (effortlessly) engaging and entertaining nonetheless. What makes it stand out thus far this season (among this year's dozens of Christmas movies) is the warmth and joy it portrays through the story, through the dialogue, and through an ensemble cast that you will no doubt fall in love with. The story follows Peter (played by Michael Urie) who is keen to avoid his family's judgment about his eternal single status, and bad choices in men, this Christmas. Thus, Peter convinces his best friend Nick (played by Philemon Chambers) to join him for the holiday as his best friend turned boyfriend. And so, the two head to small-town New Hampshire this Christmas where our romance begins, as we watch these two discover, with some help from Peter's matchmaking family, the true love they have for each other. While it is obvious how this story will turn out, Single All The Way is entertaining, and at times, very funny. The dialogue is warm and sincere on the one hand, and cute and funny on the other. Indeed, the writer does a good job of mixing these two elements in a creative and engrossing way. What makes this all work on-screen, of course, is the acting. Urie and Chamber's performances were brilliant. They engaged me, that is, their performances pulled me. Chamber's, in particular, had a kind and gentle vibe to his performance, which I found appealing. The two also had fantastic chemistry on-screen with some touching and heartfelt scenes. It was hard not to root for these two. Offering plenty of comedy throughout the film was the supporting cast. Simply put: they were fun to watch. For example, Jennifer Coolidge (as Aunt Carol) is comical in her usual fashion. And Schitt's Creek's Jennifer Robertson plays the kooky sister, an amusing performance. I can't forget Luke Macfarlane (a Christmas movie regular), whose performance (as James, Peter's blind date) is fun and charming. The film has its fair share of holiday jinks and festive cheer from an amusing Christmas pageant and a choreographed Brittney song dance to hunky Santas and amusing and creative Christmas songs. All in all, Single All the Way is a feel-good Christmas movie, boasting an impressive cast that will no doubt have you smiling and laughing along the way. It is a nice new addition to Netflix's Christmas movie line-up this season. Highly recommend.
