In “Hanukkah on the Rocks,” a Chicago lawyer (Stacy Farber) loses her job and fills in at a local bar, which is described as a dive but has gourmet food, fancy drinks and nary a Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboy in sight. She plans a bunch of Hanukkah events, such as speed dating, that somehow come together via Instagram in hours. (Beating the algorithm is the unsung holiday miracle in this one.)
The film’s meet-cute happens while fighting over the city’s last box of special Hanukkah candles, but it’s her love interest’s grandfather and resident barfly Sam, played by Marc Summers, known to many as the former host of Nickelodeon‘s game show “Double Dare,” who steals the movie. I want an entire spinoff series with Sam set in the bar.
Hallmark’s other Hanukkah offering, “Leah’s Perfect Gift,” focuses too much on a Jewish woman trying to fit in while celebrating her first Christmas with her boyfriend’s uber-uptight parents. Leah, and viewers, deserve better.
“Hanukkah on the Rocks” airs on the Hallmark Channel Dec. 22, 26 and 31.
“Leah’s Perfect Gift” airs on the Hallmark Channel Dec. 19, 24, 28 and Jan. 3.
