In the well-meaning but sadly frosty romantic comedy “Single All the Way”, Peter (Michael Urie) is a lifelong bachelor who finally has a boyfriend to bring home with his family for the holidays.
But when Peter’s beau turns out to be someone else’s husband, Peter convinces his best friend, Nick (Philemon Chambers), to visit him on Christmas instead. Nick is beloved by the family – so much so that they come up with a matchmaking plan for the two singles. Peter’s cheerful mother Carole (Kathy Najimy) cuddles, but his dad, siblings and nieces push the couple to help out with crazy Aunt Sandy (Jennifer Coolidge) and her Christmas play, in hopes that the two friends might find that they are better as lovers.
Director Michael Mayer creates an alluring scintillating backdrop for the holiday shenanigans. But the warmth and vagueness this Christmas comedy promised (streaming on Netflix) hinges on a show of suppressed passion from Peter and Nick that would push family members to plan their romantic union. Unfortunately, the chemistry between the characters never materializes.
Peter and Nick are extremely polite and are often kept a respectful distance from each other in the frame. This otherwise cheerful film is stingy with nostalgic looks or lingering touches that might suggest an underground nostalgia. Sometimes it’s hard to believe the couple are best friends, let alone secretly yearning for admirers. Even their names suggest their generic anonymity.
This lack of chemistry makes viewing lonely, as if the film exists in a universe where all concepts of flirtation, sexual tension, or even basic human rapport have yet to be discovered. The supporting cast makes up for the spiciness in the side dishes, but the main course is a flavorless dud.
Single until the end
Unclassified. Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
