Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year and brings people together, fostering love, joy, and cherished memories with loved ones. It’s the season when people forget about their stressful work lives and indulge in festive traditions. From decorating the tree to exchanging heartwarming presents, the holiday spirit is all about creating special moments with your special people. One of the most beloved things to do in the Christmas season is to sit on the sofa, have a cup of hot cocoa, and watch Christmas films that perfectly capture the essence of the season. The cheesier the movie, the more delightful it becomes. Every year, we see a plethora of Christmas films making their way to our television screens, and this year is no different. One such movie that everyone was excited about was The Merry Gentlemen on Netflix. The trailer made it certain that everyone would be obsessed with this film. However, despite being a charming addition to the genre, it falls short of its full potential.
The movie chronicles the journey of Ashley Davis (played by Britt Robertson), a Broadway dancer whose world is turned upside down when she is replaced by a younger performer in the Christmas-themed show, Jingle Belles. As a result, she decides to visit her hometown for Christmas and see her parents, Lily and Stan, who run a struggling performance venue called The Rhythm Room. Upon returning, Ashley finds herself navigating through family problems, including $30,000 overdue rent owed to their landlady, Denise. She also reconnects with Luke (Chad Michael Murray), a charming carpenter-handyman with a complicated past. Both stitch a plan to revive the performance venue by holding an event called “The Merry Gentlemen,” an all-male Christmas-themed performance filled with short sketches and more, so that Ashley could revive her parents’ venue. Initially, Luke and the other men were not too keen to join the cause. However, they soon find themselves intrigued with the idea and join the revue.
Even though the film has many comedic and heartfelt moments, it fails to create the impact that many similar Christmas movies have made in the past. Firstly, it should be clear that the film has a brilliant premise. The problem lies in its execution. The narrative feels highly predictable, which is expected for a movie in that genre, and heavily relies on holiday movie tropes. Some aspects of the movie, like the initial setback that Ashley gets with her job and the misunderstandings that take place in the romance between the lead pair, are really predictable and don’t offer much when it comes to surprises. On the other hand, the pacing of the film is also a problem that doesn’t let the movie reach its true potential. Additionally, the way Ashley and Luke’s romance unravels in the film is dragged and sometimes feels annoying. This paves the way for unnecessary conversations between the two, making it difficult for viewers to stay invested in the characters’ journey.
Despite its flaws, The Merry Gentlemen is filled with moments that let the cast showcase their impeccable talent. The dance sequences between Luke and Ashley in the carpentry workshop are amazing and capture the spirit of the holiday season. Another moment that stands out in the movie is the revue’s first show, which is a beautiful mix of laughter and applause. On the other hand, the film’s cute ending, where (spoiler alert!) Ashley decides to return to Sycamore Creek after a last-minute change of heart, which is predictable yet satisfying. Visually, the movie is as beautiful as it can get. It captures the essence of this extraordinary occasion and brings it to life with stunning cinematography, vibrant color palettes, and great attention to detail.
When it comes to performance, Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray deliver compelling performances as Ashley and Luke. Robertson beautifully captures the nuances of a woman torn between her big-city ambitions and small-town roots. Her portrayal feels really relatable because we all have been there, and we always wanted to make it big in our professional lives. Murray is equally brilliant in his role. His character remains grounded and adds much-needed charm to the role by balancing Luke’s rough exterior with a tender side, which adds a correct amount of depth to his role. The supporting cast is also brilliant, especially Ashley’s older sister Marie, played with elegance by Marla Sokoloff. But in the end, these great performances couldn’t save the film from being underwhelming.
All in all, The Merry Gentleman is one of those films that try to do a lot and ultimately fall short of doing something great. It has everything, from romance and tragedy to drama and festive cheer, but it struggles to strike a perfect balance between them. While the performances are good and the visuals are pretty, the predictable narrative and uneven pacing stop the film from being one of the sweetest Christmas experiences. That said, this movie still has moments that will make you fall in love with this holiday season.
The Merry Gentlemen is now streaming on Netflix.
Learn more about the film, including how to watch, on the Netflix website.
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