The Merry Gentlemen is everything you want from a holiday film, full of holiday decorations and joy, a splendid lead performance from Britt Robertson, and all the hot, dancing and shirtless men your heart could desire. 

 

The month of November is here and with Christmas right around the corner, it is the time of year for cheesy holiday films. Yes, get ready for predictable romances, small towns, dreams and some serious talents in this year’s crop of Netflix’s holiday films. Though, none of them have ever been this hot, as there has never been a Netflix holiday film (or Hallmark one for that matter), featuring an all-male Christmas revue. Yes, The Merry Gentlemen is the Magic Mike of the Christmas genre that while still being incredibly wholesome and romantic, makes for a fun night in thanks to the revue dance numbers that you can still safely watch with your family.

 

Going back from the big city to your small hometown for the holiday season, a hot young man for our leading lady to fall in love with, and a play to save the family business from a money hungry landlord, yes this is a Christmas film through and through. If you are familiar with the genre, you know exactly what you are getting from The Merry Gentlemen and where the story will end. And with a run time of under ninety minutes, the screenplay wastes no time getting to the goods. Packed in are lots of laughs, romantic moments between Britt Robertson’s Ashley and Chad Michael Murray’s Luke, and male shirtless dancing, all told with a wholesome and festive tone that makes the film one delightful time from start to finish. If you aren’t a fan of these cheesier holiday films, you can safely stay clear of The Merry Gentlemen as there is nothing here to off you, but if you do enjoy the comfort of the predictable of these holiday films, it is everything you are looking for in a holiday film. And, watch out for those other Netflix holiday film references, as one shared universe is building that will make fans of these films happy.

 

Britt Robertson is a talented yet underrated actress, having led films like Tomorrowland alongside George Clooney and the Nicholas Sparks adaptation The Longest Ride and the short lived Shonda Rhimes legal drama For the People, so seeing her as the lead in this Netflix holiday film was a welcomed treat. While her dancing as Ashley in the opening number isn’t the best, Robertson has all the requisite charm to bring to life this determined young woman set on saving her family’s business and infuses the entire film with a playful and caring energy. Murray has all the rugged looks and allure as Luke to capture the down to earth man restarting his life in the small town he has moved to, creating a solid love interest for Ashley. While at first the romantic spark isn’t fully ablaze between Robertson and Murray, it slowly develops over the course of the film as their characters begin to realize their true feelings for each other, creating a sweet and authentic romance as their chemistry blossoms. Marla Sokoloff, Michael Gross and Beth Broderick are all a delight as Ashley’s family, Maria Canals-Barrera is sweet yet enough of an opposing force as the money hungry landowner trying to shut down the family business in hopes of a more lucrative juice bar, and Colt Prattes’ simple mindedness makes for some great comedic moments as Troy. The entire cast understands the movie they are in and the energy that audiences will want from such a film, and they all capture that essence in spades. 

 

Being a film about a male dance revue, many viewers’ interest will be piqued by the dance numbers, which there are plenty to offer, and they balance sex appeal with the festive spirit thanks to the soundtrack selections. The lighting choices for these scenes recreate the night club vibe, even if they make some moments look not as good on camera; these choices help draw the audience into the atmosphere that the characters are experiencing. Murray and his co-star Marc Anthony Samuel are not the strongest dancers, but the choreographers know how best to use them in the numbers and arming their good looks against the audience, instead putting Prattes and Hector David Jr. out in front. Prattes, a trained dancer with Broadway musicals and the made for television Dirty Dancing remake to his name, excels in the dance sequences and is front and centre, armed with his eight pack and incredibly attractive backup dancers that is certain to thrill audiences looking for insanely hot men dancing. And while he may be on the older side, Maxwell Canfield has not lost his moves from way back in the 80s in his biggest role of his career Grease 2, and is a fun addition for the dance numbers and will no doubt tickle the fancy of musical fans. Imagine a PG Magic Mike, lots of costumes and shirtless men, but nothing too risqué that would be uncomfortable for watching with your parents. 

Sure to get your toes tapping to the pop-infused holiday music and in the festive mood, the all-male dance revue in The Merry Gentlemen is an early Christmas gift to viewers. Capturing everything about the holiday genre that viewers love, featuring a great lead performance from Britt Robertson and the outstanding dance moves of Colt Prattes, The Merry Gentlemen is one holiday treat that won’t get you on the naughty list despite its sex appeal.