Name: Single All the Way
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Released: 2021-12-02T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke Macfarlane, Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Najimy

The opening scene of Single All the Way sets its tone with a close-up of Michael Urie’s face, his expression a mix of desperation and determination as he convinces his best friend Nick to pretend to be his boyfriend for Christmas. It’s a moment that encapsulates the film’s approach: charmingly familiar, but lacking in depth.

Directed by Michael Mayer and written by Chad Hodge, Single All the Way is a 2021 Netflix holiday rom-com that follows Peter (Urie), a social media strategist who brings his platonic best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) home for the holidays to fake a relationship. The film aims to blend the cozy nostalgia of classic Christmas movies with modern queer representation, and in many ways, it succeeds.

The film’s strengths lie primarily in its performances and comedic timing. Michael Urie delivers a standout performance as Peter, capturing the character’s exasperation and longing with equal measures. His chemistry with Philemon Chambers is genuine, making their fake relationship feel believable and endearing. The supporting cast also shines, particularly Jennifer Coolidge as Aunt Sandy. Her eccentric warmth adds a layer of charm to the film, stealing every scene she’s in. Kathy Najimy as Carole, Peter’s mother, brings a nuanced portrayal of a well-meaning but meddling parent, adding depth to the family dynamic.

The film’s setting—a snowy New Hampshire backdrop complete with Christmas pageants and family gatherings—evokes a sense of holiday nostalgia that is both comforting and familiar. Mayer’s direction keeps the pace brisk, ensuring that the plot never lingers too long on any one note. The cinematography effectively captures the festive atmosphere, using warm lighting and cozy interiors to create a visually appealing world.

However, Single All the Way falters in its predictability. The plot points are telegraphed well in advance, and there are few genuine surprises. The love triangle between Peter, Nick, and James (Luke Macfarlane) is resolved in a way that feels overly neat, lacking the emotional complexity that could have elevated it. The film’s reliance on clichés—such as the meddling mother and the supportive best friend—does little to distinguish it from other holiday rom-coms.

The romantic elements, while sweet, lack the depth needed to make them truly resonant. Peter’s internal conflict between his feelings for Nick and his growing attraction to James is explored superficially. The film misses an opportunity to delve deeper into the emotional stakes of Peter’s decision, leaving the audience with a sense of unresolved tension.

The film also struggles with its genre fit. While it aims for heartwarming comedy, some of the jokes fall flat, relying too heavily on clichés rather than fresh, witty dialogue. The romantic elements, while sweet, lack the depth needed to make them truly resonant. Peter’s internal conflict between his feelings for Nick and his growing attraction to James is explored superficially. The film misses an opportunity to delve deeper into the emotional stakes of Peter’s decision, leaving the audience with a sense of unresolved tension.

Thematically, Single All the Way touches on the pressures of family expectations and the fear of disappointing loved ones. These themes are particularly relevant for queer individuals who often face additional scrutiny from their families. However, the film’s treatment of these themes is surface-level, lacking the nuance needed to make a lasting impact.

In comparison to other holiday rom-coms, Single All the Way falls short of the emotional depth and originality found in films like Happiest Season. While it offers a light-hearted escape, it fails to stand out in a crowded genre. The film is best suited for viewers looking for a cozy, low-stakes holiday movie that doesn’t require much critical engagement.

Ultimately, Single All the Way is a perfectly serviceable holiday movie. It’s not groundbreaking or particularly original, but it delivers on what it promises: a light-hearted, festive escape. The performances by Michael Urie and Jennifer Coolidge are highlights, adding genuine warmth to the film. However, its reliance on clichés and lack of emotional depth prevent it from rising above the ordinary.

The film’s exploration of queer representation is commendable but feels somewhat generic. While it provides a positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships, it doesn’t delve into the unique challenges faced by queer individuals in a way that adds significant depth to the narrative. This missed opportunity leaves the film feeling more like a watered-down version of other, more impactful holiday rom-coms.

The pacing of Single All the Way is another area where it excels. The film moves swiftly from one festive activity to the next, maintaining a brisk pace that keeps the audience engaged. However, this rapid pace also means that certain emotional beats are rushed, leaving little room for reflection or deeper character development.

The supporting characters, while charming, often feel one-dimensional. Barry Bostwick as Harold, Peter’s father, and Jennifer Robertson as Lisa, Peter’s sister, add to the familial dynamic but lack the complexity needed to make their roles memorable. The film’s reliance on broad strokes for its supporting cast limits their potential impact.

The cinematography in Single All the Way is another strong point. The snowy landscapes and cozy interiors create a visually appealing world that enhances the holiday atmosphere. However, the visuals often feel more decorative than integral to the storytelling, serving as a backdrop rather than contributing to the emotional depth of the narrative.

The film’s soundtrack also deserves mention. The festive music choices enhance the holiday mood, but they sometimes feel overly familiar, relying on well-known Christmas classics rather than offering anything new or unexpected. This lack of originality in the musical score mirrors the film’s broader reliance on clichés.

In terms of its genre fit, Single All the Way is a classic holiday rom-com. It ticks all the expected boxes: family gatherings, festive activities, and a love triangle resolved with a neat bow. However, its adherence to these tropes means it doesn’t offer anything particularly fresh or innovative within the genre.

The film’s ending is satisfying but predictable. The resolution of Peter’s romantic dilemma feels earned but lacks the emotional weight that could have made it truly memorable. The final scene, where Peter and Nick finally confess their feelings for each other, is heartwarming but feels more like a culmination of plot points rather than a deeply emotional moment.

Ultimately, Single All the Way is a film that will appeal to fans of holiday rom-coms looking for a light-hearted, festive escape. It’s not a movie that demands much from its audience in terms of critical engagement, but it delivers on its promise of a cozy, low-stakes holiday experience.

The performances by Michael Urie and Jennifer Coolidge are standout elements, adding genuine warmth and charm to the film. The supporting cast, while not as memorable, contributes to the festive atmosphere. The cinematography and soundtrack enhance the holiday mood but rely too heavily on familiar tropes.

Thematically, Single All the Way touches on important issues of family expectations and queer representation, but it does so in a way that feels surface-level rather than deeply impactful. The film’s reliance on clichés and lack of emotional depth prevent it from rising above the ordinary.

In comparison to other holiday rom-coms, Single All the Way falls short of the emotional depth and originality found in films like Happiest Season. However, it still offers a enjoyable, low-stakes holiday movie experience that will appeal to fans of the genre.

MCM Score: 5.7/10 — craft 2 / story 1 / performances 2 / originality 1 / genre_fit 1.