Critic’s Score: 4.7 / 5.0
4.7
I’ve watched many Hallmark vacation movies, and Hanukkah on the Rocks stood out as the most effective. It was charming, witty, and enjoyable, making viewers smile.
Round 2019, the Hallmark Channel began integrating Hanukkah into their Countdown to Christmas line-up to rejoice how others rejoice the vacations.
Whereas the earlier motion pictures have been terrific, there’s something particular about Hanukkah on the Rocks, and a part of that’s the solid. Stacey Farber (Virgin River) and Daren Kagasoff (The Villiage) star on this vacation movie.
Farber was in A Season For Household in 2023, however that is Kagasoff’s Hallmark debut, and so they had prompt chemistry.
Farber performs Tory, a company lawyer who will get laid off proper earlier than the vacations. Kagasoff portrays Jay, a radiologist, who returns residence to try to persuade his grandfather Sam to retire in Florida.
The significance of traditions and household relationships makes Hanukkah on the Rocks distinctive. Sam and Jay’s shut bond and Tory’s relationship together with her Bubby (grandmother) take middle stage and are sometimes paralleled.
That’s what kicks off the movie. Sam and Bubby need a set of Cohen candles for his or her menorah and ship their grandchildren to seek out it, who’re clueless in regards to the distinction between candles.
Naturally, since that is Hallmark, Jay and Tory meet on the retailer and debate over the past set of accessible candles.
Farber and Kagasoff Function an Prompt Connection That Lures Viewers In
I used to be hooked as quickly as Tory (Farber) and Jay (Kagasoff) ran into one another on the celebration retailer with an cute meet-cute.
Hallmark is understood for tacky vacation rom-coms, however they’ve expanded on that to construct character arcs with substance.
In some methods, Tory feels misplaced since she obtained laid off from her first profession job, and he or she doesn’t know how one can inform anybody. Jay is analogous as a result of he not too long ago ended a long-term relationship earlier than coming residence.
Initially, Jay is cautious when his grandfather provides Tory a job at Rocky’s to fill in as a bartender by Hanukkah, however quickly, he admits she suits in with the remainder of them.
It’s virtually amusing watching Tory and Jay battle their emotions as Sam, Tory’s household, and Rocky’s regulars are teaming as much as intervene.
In fact, it wouldn’t be a Hallmark Channel movie with out some pesky secrets and techniques hindering their relationship, however you’ll have to look at to see how issues prove.
The Household Relationships are the Coronary heart of Hanukkah on the Rocks
Sam and Jay’s relationship and Bubby and Tory’s bond are the guts of Hanukkah on the Rocks. The movie did a incredible job of paralleling the relationships, particularly close to the start, when explaining Jewish traditions or courting values.
Regardless that Jay swears he got here residence to assist his grandfather, Sam is aware of him properly and thinks he’s operating from one thing.
Whereas Kagasoff is a superb main man, he excels in household scenes. When he’s reverse Marc Summers (Sam), it’s paying homage to him on The Village. Jay genuinely desires to assist Sam however doesn’t at all times know the way.
Bubby (Marina Stephenson Kerr) additionally has a powerful relationship with Tory. She’s the one one who senses that Tory isn’t completely happy and that Tory makes time for when she’s working nonstop.
Tory is terrified to inform her household that she misplaced her job since her household’s approval and assist imply every thing, and he or she must study that generally you may make new desires.
The Quirky Characters and Hanukkah Traditions Complement the Charming Movie
We don’t need to spoil an excessive amount of, however we’d love to hang around at Rocky’s Bar. Hallmark excels at creating entertaining bars with memorable characters, and Rocky’s takes the win.
Tory is fortunate when she follows Jay into Rocky’s since she meets many new mates, and so they alter one another’s lives. The top chef, Lottie (Lauren Cochrane), is Sam’s companion in crime, however she is initially afraid to strive riskier recipes.
Anthony, one of many regulars, is in love with Lottie however stumbles over exhibiting her. Then there’s Stacy-Lynn, an aspiring actress higher at aiding Tory in planning occasions.
Actually, Stacy-Lynn names Tory’s impressed Hanukkah celebration Hanukkah on the Rocks. It begins with a themed drink and lights the menorah every night time, then strikes on to Hanukkah video games, completely happy hour, and Jewish pace courting.
Sam’s love of the vacation and Tory’s party-planning abilities carry pleasure to this movie because the neighborhood comes collectively to rejoice. The group scenes are among the greatest within the film.
Sam is the guts of Rocky’s Bar, and nobody desires him to retire to Florida, which suggests Jay has a battle on his fingers. Will he see the attraction of this quirky bar the place everybody loves his grandfather?
Hanukkah on the Rocks Incorporates a Proficient Solid and Crew
Sam (Marc Summers) is the movie’s MVP. Summers sometimes hosts sport exhibits, however his humor shines by as he acts reverse Kagasoff and Farber.
It shortly turns into obvious that Sam desires to match his grandson and Tory, and he’s a kind of older males who says no matter he thinks.
One other enjoyable deal with was that Hanukkah on the Rocks reunited Stacey Farber and Cora Matheson, who visitor starred on The Spencer Sisters.
This time, she portrays Tory’s older sister, Becca, and they’re acquainted as they banter.
The last word deal with was that Julie Sherman Wolfe wrote the script.
She’s like Hallmark Channel royalty and has written quite a few movies, together with Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story.
In 2022, she additionally penned Hanukkah on Rye, so she is versed in combining these traditions with household relationships and blossoming romance.
Hanukkah on the Rocks is about discovering new prospects when life tries to take you down. After you watch the movie, please remark right here or on social media along with your ideas.
Hanukkah on the Rocks premieres on the Hallmark Channel on Friday, December 13 at 8/7c.
