“Single All the Way” is a perfect title for a Christmastime rom-com. Sadly, that’s the only thing creative about this 2021 Netflix Original film. The idea is great, albeit often used. The difference this time is the facet of the main character being a gay man.
Peter (Michael Urie) is dreading going home for the holidays single once again. This year he takes best friend and roommate Nick (Philemon Chambers) to serve as a “fake boyfriend” to satisfy his aggressive family. I’ll give you three guesses as to what happens next.
I thoroughly enjoy the diversity element, and having an openly gay lead is a nice touch. It makes sense for a character like Peter to have fled his small New Hampshire town for the promises of Los Angeles. I really liked the depth that is explained by his want to escape a suburban town because of his sexuality. That he also dislikes the glitz, glamor, and superficiality of LA really humanizes him. Michael Urie does an excellent and authentic job with the role. We like this character and want him to do well in life and love.
Peter’s family is open and receptive to their son. Father (Barry Bostwick) and mother (Kathy Najimy) are welcoming and in their love and acceptance. Peter is close with his sister (Jennifer Robertson) and young nieces and nephews. He wants nothing more than to be normal in a desire to not be alone at Christmas. It’s a trope we can all relate to, or at least, some of us can 😉
The movie misses out with its suspect writing. They successfully relocate the setting from balmy Southern California to snowy New Hampshire. Peter’s family knows Nick is a friend and roommate. So why go through the charade of calling him a “fake boyfriend” since they already know it’s a platonic relationship. Peter’s mother has set him up with dreamy looking James (Luke Macfarlane) in the hopes that he’ll fall in love. In a week. And move 3,000 miles back. Peter’s nieces immediately dislike the idea of James and want Peter to be with Nick. But why? I can accept irregularities with a feel good Holiday movie. But there are a few too many within the confines of this script to be passable.
And then there’s the inclusion of Jennifer Coolidge as Aunt Sandy. I won’t attempt to conceal my disdain for this actress. Coolidge is quite recognizable, if not by name than appearance. She was an ancillary but important character in the “Legally Blonde” films. I know her from the annoying role she plays in the sitcom “2 Broke Girls” and here it’s pretty much the same. She offers nothing in the way of laughs. She’s a scene stealer who isn’t funny. The production seems to go out of its way to showcase her. The times the character is involved only hinder the progression of Peter’s arc. The movie clocks in at 101 minutes. It could have been trimmed by simply dropping the padded scenes that Coolidge appears in.
“Single All the Way” is a bit of a dud. I liked the characters but the story itself was riddled with flaw. I could envision a great Netflix series depicting the characters residing in suburban New Hampshire. Maybe Aunt Sandy can join the Peace Corps and ship of to Comoros.
