Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 December 2024
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray take the helm in Netflix’s latest festive romcom.
Ashley is living her dream as a Broadway dancer in a Christmas show, until one day she is replaced by a younger performer. This leads her back to her sleepy hometown Sycamore Creek, where her elderly parents run struggling venue The Rhythm Room. Upon discovering the $30k debt, she makes it her personal mission to raise the funds, doing so by using her expertise as a dancer to create an all-male revue. She enlists Luke, the resident handyman, and the two begin falling for each other.
The blossoming romance between the two leads may be unoriginal and cheesy, but the plot revolving around saving her parents’ club gives it a nice layer of heart and warmth. Additionally, there are further feel-good moments such as Luke finding the new experience that pushes him out of his comfort zone ultimately brings him happiness and Ashley falling back in love with her hometown alongside the realisation that fulfilment comes from people rather than achieving aspirations. There isn’t really any comedy in the film but the plot is carried by the romance and showbiz elements anyway.
The Merry Gentlemen is almost exactly as you would expect. Predictable but nonetheless heartwarming.
6/10