Menorah in the Middle

Although the Menorah in the Middle is an old, clichéd Hallmark movie featuring a portrait of Hanukkah and Jewish customs, this one is really brilliant, particularly in its casting. The leading pair makes a perfect couple, despite they are appearing more like an elder sister and brother. And the storyline was great! Even the slow-paced bore scenes were enjoyable throughout the film , and I found myself fully immersed in the scenes which lacked emotions in it. The actors appears to be miscasting, but it was well covered with their poor efforts to show that there is something in this movie which no one can understand.

This is a hallmark Chanukah movie written by goyim who are taking their best guess. I am so unsettled and just straight flummoxed. I am Jewish and have a sinking feeling I am their intended audience. I'm from a Jewish area on Long Island where we went to summer camp. Other than that I am astonished at how un-Jewish this movie is, so much so that I can only assume Hulu had to step in to dial down the Judaism like NBC did with Seinfeld. There would be no emotional or heartwarming moments. There was such an absence of humor that it felt like a death. No one was fighting. The sanitizing of Jewish life is almost insulting but there are luckily great movies that get it right.. watch Wet Hot American Summer or Uncut Gems or Curb Your Enthusiasm instead.

This movie is every bit as good as its Xmas counterparts - and better than many of those I have seen! The acting wasn't unbearable, the jokes were corny but obviously intentionally so, and I thought the story was well-paced.

If you're looking for a "rom com" this may not fit the bill but I would argue that these movies rarely do. Romantic, sure, but hardly comedies outside of a sprinkling of comic relief.

I must concede that the leads were both kind of spineless and hard to root for. However, I thought the story itself was interesting, the parents and brother were compelling characters, and even Chad had me wondering what his deal actually was (up until his "win win" scene).

I also enjoyed the dreidel game scene, the guest stars, and the b story of the brother.

I wasn't a fan of the weird lighting and did think it seemed like they went a little overboard with making Jewish references or jokes, but knowing how limited specifically Jewish movies are I feel like this may be the cause. Either creators haven't quite figured out the formula or audiences used to being inundated with Christmas and Christian references are more sensitive to Jewish references.

Enjoyed this movie so much! Cute light hearted film for the family highly recommended! Sarah Silverman especially added a nice sense of comedy. The movie highlights the truth about how hospitals destroy small business in America, and shines light on this tragic issue. My heart sincerely goes out to anyone experiencing this. Love seeing all the Jewish geography and how it ended up saving the day. Grab your family and some latkes and sit tight for 1:27.5 minutes because your in for a delightful Chanukah treat!

P. S. Sarah Silverman if you are reading this at night before bed please don't drink water after 7:00. Thank you!

I couldn't get past the disgusting attitude of that that greasy faced ding dong with muscles to find him remotely funny!

The way he was just so ignorant to everything related to the customs, and his possessiveness over his fiancé, absolutely unwatchable!

It really all comes down to the writing, it's like out of nowhere he was rude to the "boy next door". It was infuriating during that scene when he decided he called the shots for the family business!

This isn't a run of the mill feel good holiday film. I tried my best to ignore the dimwit (and the random guy with the guitar) and watch everything else. This is NOT on my rewatch list!