SINGLE ALL THE WAY
US, 2021, 99 minutes, Colour.
Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke MacFarlane, Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Robertson, Kathy Najimy, Jennifer Coolidge.
Directed by Michael Mayer.
Single is not a misprint for jingle! Which suggest that this is a Christmas movie – and, indeed it is, with many of the familiar characters, plot devices and developments. It is a story of a family reunion, the different generations, Christmas decorations, Christmas joyfulness, the putting on of a Christmas pageant, discussions about Christmas trees and decorations.
And, the family is quite varied, a rather loud American family presided over by the matriarch of the family, played happily by Kathy Najimy (and memories of Sister Act and Hocus-Pocus) with her more subdued but nonetheless interventionist husband, played by Barry Bostwick (a long time since The Rocky Horror Picture Show). There is a next generation, two sisters and a brother and spouses, as well as the grandchildren generation, two young women, two young boys. Who could ask for anything more! Especially when the eccentric Aunt Sandy arrives in the form of Jennifer Coolidge, doing a variation on her usual performance (or, should that be, audiences enjoying what is her usual performance!)
But, this is a Christmas romantic comedy with quite a difference. The character who is single all the way is gay. He is Peter, Michael Urie, entrepreneur with setting up photo shoots and advertising, but with a great hobby of raising plants, personalising them. He has a sympathetic roommate but not partner, Nick (Philemon Chambers) who writes children’s books about his pet dog and is quite a handyman in all kind of practical jobs.
The trouble is that Peter is prone to break up with partners, the film opening with the disaster when the man of his dreams turns out to be married with children. He is summoned across the country from California to New Hampshire for Christmas, his mother having set up a local gym trainer for a date with ultimate intentions. Peter asks Nick to come with him as a favour, to pretend that they are a couple – but the family instantly sees through this, all liking Nick very much for a long time, and much of the film contriving to persuade Nick that he is in love with Peter. Peter goes on the date, is comfortable and enjoys it, a genial partner (Luke McFarlane) but, of course, eventually realises the truth, and he and Nick are united. Peter wants to return home, Nick spends his royalties from his children’s book on buying a front store for Peter to work with his plants, has already written a sequel to the delight of the boys, despite all problems with preparing the pageant, it is a success all around.
Philemon Chambers as Nick is a sympathetic character – some audiences may find Michael Urie’s Peter too camp and ditzy. The film is PG rated, and, in 2021, taking gay relationships for granted. An easy film for acceptance. No homophobia here.
