Hallmark continues to expand on their slate of Hanukkah films with their latest new addition, Hanukkah on the Rocks. This romantic-comedy stars Degrassi‘s Stacey Farber and The Secret Life of The American Teenager‘s Daren Kagasoff as two adults feeling lost in life just a week before Hanukkah. Luckily, they both end up finding some solace and purpose in a Chicago bar called Rocky’s, as well as its staff, patrons, and Hanukkah celebrations. But even as the holiday brings the two closer, they‘re unsure of the road ahead as the futures they’d planned clash with the new ones they inspire each other to chase.
The Gist: Tory (Stacey Farber) is a driven workaholic who has always been fully committed to her job as a corporate lawyer in Chicago. But when she’s the casualty of a mass layoff, she’s left feeling both unsure and free for the first time since she began her job. Although Tory’s main, and seemingly only, social engagement is her grandma, Francis, AKA Bubby (Marina Stephenson Kerr), she resolves to keep her new unemployed status a secret from both her Bubby and parents who sacrificed so much to help her achieve her dreams. Tory only confides in her sister, Becca (Cora Matheson), who she’s finally able to spend more time with now that her demanding job isn’t weighing her down.
With all of this free time on her hands, Tory is also able to spend more time with her Bubby, who soon sends her on a mission to purchase a specific brand of Hanukkah candles. But when just one store seems to have them in stock, she ends up squabbling with a Florida-based radiologist named Jay (Daren Kagasoff) over the last box. Jay ends up victorious, and she ends up following him to Rocky’s, an Old Town neighborhood dive bar with amazing annual Hanukkah celebrations and an even better cast of characters to welcome her in.
In addition to Jay’s grandfather, a lovable longtime Rocky’s patron named Sam (Double Dare‘s own Marc Summers!!), there’s also the cook, Lottie (Lauren Cochrane), server Stacy-Lynn (Verity Marks), and aspiring novelist Anthony (Dan De Jaeger). Together, they form a warm community that welcomes Tory with open arms, especially after their bartender suddenly leaves for a romantic last-minute getaway to Cabo, leaving Tory to unexpectedly step in. Drawing on her stint as a bartender in college, as well as her innate love for helping others, Tory ends up being so good as the job that the folks at Rocky’s keep having her back throughout all of Hanukkah. At the same time, Jay, who only came to Chicago to convince Sam to move down to Florida with him and his parents, begins to see that maybe he’s the one who needs to consider moving… Especially as he and Tory start seriously falling for one another. Is there a way for Tory and Jay to make their budding romance work when they still have so many uncertainties in each of their own lives? And does Rocky’s (and its mysterious owner) hold the key to help them unlock the place they’re truly meant to be?
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Hanukkah on the Rocks might remind you of the 2022 Hallmark Hanukkah movie, Hanukkah on Rye, and not just because of their similar titles. Julie Sherman Wolfe actually wrote both films, which each showcase Jewish holiday foods and traditions in their own way. The warm neighborhood pub vibe may also remind you of the beloved sitcom Cheers, especially considering both titles feature a bar owner named Sam.
Performance Worth Watching: Lauren Cochrane is very natural and brings a great energy as Lottie. She’s a bit of a scene stealer thanks to her effortless charm and humor. Marina Stephenson Kerr is also pretty lovable and delightfully sassy as Bubby/Francis.
Memorable Dialogue: Jay, while donning a gaudy pair of Hanukkah glasses at the Party Store: “I think these sunglasses were designed by Elton John Berkowitz.”
Honorable mentions for Bubby’s lines “At least my granddaughter has a job!” and “I’m no snitch.” Now that’s the kind of person you want to have in your corner!
A Holiday Tradition: Every year, Sam’s late wife, Celia, would throw incredible Hanukkah celebrations at her favorite bar, Rocky’s, a tradition he still attempts to keep alive even after she’s gone.
Does the Title Make Any Sense?: Hanukkah on the Rocks absolutely makes sense. Not only does the story mostly revolve around a bar called Rocky’s, but Tory also creates a seasonal cocktail that’s dubbed a “Hanukkah on the Rocks” which also becomes the business’s new temporary name, so yeah, the title is pretty fitting!
Our Take: Although it has been trying to diversify its filmography slowly but surely over the past few years, Hallmark still doesn’t have many Hanukkah movies. With that in mind, I think that the mere existence of this movie is a win for representation, and the writing also shows that care, research, and personal experience went into the portrayal of this Hanukkah story. Especially coming to this movie as someone who was raised Christian, there are plenty of things that may have felt unfamiliar, but that didn’t mean that as a viewer, I cared about them any less. After all, at the heart of Hanukkah on the Rocks is a story about community, tradition, and family, things that anyone can relate to. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy watching the festivities because both the characters at Rocky’s and the movie itself welcome everyone in with open arms.
That being said, there are some critiques and gripes that I think viewers of any religion or creed could likely agree upon. First of all, it’s a bit ridiculous to suggest that there would be only one box of a specific Hanukkah candle in a city as big and diverse as Chicago, but hey, that’s just Hallmark movies for you, so we can give it a pass.
However, a major part of any Hallmark movie tends to be the romance, and the one here between Tory and Jay was just okay. They had some genuinely enjoyable moments of interaction and chemistry, but these were weighed down by some especially cheesy moments and the somewhat two-dimensional nature of the characters, themselves. You’re telling me that Tory has lived in Chicago her entire life and has zero friends besides her Bubby? I know she’s a workaholic but that seems impossible! But I guess if she didn’t have time for her sister and nephew, she really didn’t have time for any friends, which is a bummer. Really, I just wish the characters were a little more fleshed out so they could feel a bit more real and therefore easier to invest in and connect to.
Ultimately, the ensemble nature of this movie as well as the focus on celebrating Jewish culture and traditions help to make it feel worth watching for viewers of all backgrounds. I’m glad to see Hallmark go for something outside of their usual Christmas story, and I hope that they will continue to do so in the years ahead!
Our Call: I wouldn’t say that Hanukkah on the Rocks is the most memorable or moving new holiday title streaming this year. Still, we can always use a new Hanukkah movie, especially one with as much genuine care for the traditions and spirit as this one seems to have. It’s just a nice and easy seasonal watch. STREAM IT for Bubby!