Reviewer Rating: 4.7/5.0
4.7
I’ve seen a lot of Hallmark holiday movies and “Hanukkah on the Rocks” is one of the best. It’s charming, witty, funny, and makes the audience smile.
Around 2019, Hallmark Channel began incorporating Hanukkah into their countdown to Christmas programming to celebrate the way others celebrate the holiday.
While the previous movies were great, there’s something special about Hanukkah on the Rock, and part of that is the cast. Stacey Farber (“Viking River”) and Darren Kagasov (“The Village”) star in this holiday movie.
Farber starred in Family Season in 2023, but this was Kagasov’s Hallmark debut, and they had instant chemistry.
Farber plays Tori, a corporate lawyer who is fired just before the holidays. Kagasov plays radiologist Jay, who returns to his hometown to try to convince his grandfather, Sam, to retire in Florida.
The importance of tradition and family ties makes Hanukkah on the Rocks unique. Sam and Jay’s close relationship and Tori’s relationship with her Barb (grandmother) take center stage and are often paralleled.
This is where the movie begins. Sam and Barb want a set of Korn candles for their menorah and send their grandson to find it, unaware of the differences between the candles.
Of course, since this is Hallmark, Jay and Tory met in the store and debated the last set of candles available.
Farber and Kagasov’s instant connection captivated viewers
When Tori (Farber) and Jay (Kagasoff) met in adorable fashion at a party store, I was hooked.
Hallmark is known for cheesy holiday rom-coms, but they expanded on that to build character arcs with substance.
In a way, Tori felt lost since being fired from her first professional job, and she didn’t know how to tell anyone. Jay is similar in that he recently ended a long-term relationship before returning home.
At first, Jay is wary when his grandfather offers Tori a job at Rocky’s Pub as a bartender during Hanukkah, but soon, he admits that she’ll hit it off with the others.
It’s almost funny watching Tori and Jay struggle with their feelings as Sam, Tori’s family, and Rocky regulars team up to intervene.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Hallmark Channel movie without some nasty secrets getting in the way of their relationship, but you’ll have to see how things play out.
Family ties are at the heart of Hanukkah
Sam and Jay’s relationship and Bobby and Tori’s bond are at the heart of “Hanukkah on the Rock.” The film does a great job of drawing parallels when it comes to explaining Jewish traditions or dating values, especially near the beginning.
Although Jay swears he came home to help his grandfather, Sam knows him well and thinks he’s running away from something.
Kagasov is a great leading man and also does a great job in the domestic scenes. It’s reminiscent of his performance in The Village when he stars opposite Mark Summers (Sam). Jay sincerely wants to help Sam, but doesn’t always know how.
Bobby (Marina Stephenson Cole) also has a deep relationship with Tori. She was the only one who sensed that Tori was unhappy and that Tori made time while she worked non-stop.
Tori was afraid to tell her family that she was unemployed because her family’s approval and support meant everything, and she needed to know that sometimes you can create new dreams.
Quirky characters and Hanukkah traditions complement this charming film
We don’t want to spoil too much, but we would love to hang out at Rocky Bar. Hallmark excels at creating entertaining bars with memorable characters, and Rocky’s wins.
Tory is lucky that she follows Jay into Rocky as she meets many new friends who change each other’s lives. Chef Lottie (Lauren Cochrane) is Sam’s partner in crime, but she’s initially afraid to try riskier recipes.
Anthony, one of the regulars, falls in love with Lottie but stammers when it comes to showing her off. There’s also Stacy-Lynn, an aspiring actress who’s better at helping Tori plan events.
In fact, Stacey Lynn dubbed the Conservative Hanukkah celebration “Hanukkah on the Rock.” The event begins with themed drinks and lighting of the menorah each night, followed by Hanukkah games, happy hour and Jewish speed dating.
Sam’s love of the holidays and Tori’s party planning skills bring joy to the film as the community comes together to celebrate. The group scenes are the best in the movie.
Sam is the heart of Rocky Bar and no one wants him to retire to Florida, which means Jay has a fight on his hands. Will he see the appeal of this quirky bar where everyone loved his grandfather?
Hanukkah on the Rocks features a talented cast and crew
Sam (Mark Summers) is the MVP of this movie. Summers usually hosts game shows, but his sense of humor shines through when he stars opposite Kagasov and Farber.
We soon find out that Sam wants to pair up his grandson with Tory, and he’s one of those older guys who says whatever he wants.
Another fun treat is that “Hanukkah on the Rocks” reunites Stacey Farber and Cora Matheson, who guest-starred on “The Spencer Sisters.”
This time, she plays Tori’s older sister Becca, whom they share a familiar banter with.
The ultimate treat is that Julie Sherman Wolfe wrote the screenplay.
She’s like Hallmark Channel royalty, having written numerous movies including “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
In 2022, she also created “Hanukkah in Rye,” so she’s great at combining these traditions with family ties and blossoming romance.
Hanukkah on the Rocks is about finding new possibilities when life tries to bring you down. After watching the movie, leave a comment here or on social media with your thoughts.
“Hanukkah on the Rocks” will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Friday, December 13 at 8/7c.
