Watch The Christmas Setup

In the 2020 holiday romantic comedy, The Christmas Setup, audiences follow the story of a young couple, Hugo (played by Ben Lewis) and Patrick (played by Blake Lee), as they navigate the ups and downs of falling in love during the most wonderful time of year. The film is directed by Pat Mills and written by Michael J. Murray. Hugo is a New York-based lawyer who returns home to Milwaukee for the holidays to help his mom Kate (played by Fran Drescher) with her Christmas-themed shop. As Hugo catches up with old friends and family members, he runs into his high school crush, Patrick, who also happens to have returned home for the holidays. The two quickly rekindle their friendship, but it soon becomes clear that there is more than just platonic feelings between them.

While Hugo is hesitant to pursue anything beyond casual friendship (due to his fear of judgement from his homophobic boss), Patrick is much more open to the idea of exploring something deeper. The plot thickens when Kate and her best friend Shelley hatch a plan to set the two men up, much to their initial confusion and discomfort.

The film does an excellent job of balancing the sweet nature of a classic rom-com with the nuances of a story about two gay men falling in love. One of the things that sets The Christmas Setup apart from other holiday movies is that it doesn't shy away from addressing the reality of the LGBTQ+ community's experience, including a few well-placed lines about the fight for marriage equality.

Of course, the film still features all of the other classic holiday movie tropes, like baking cookies, ice-skating, and family dinners. But it also adds its own twist to those cliches in small ways. For example, instead of decorating a tree, Hugo and Patrick decorate a menorah, a nod to the latter's Jewish faith.

Another standout feature of the movie is the chemistry between Ben Lewis and Blake Lee. The two actors have great on-screen energy and their banter feels natural and genuine. They both have a talent for bringing both the comedic and the dramatic beats to life, and it's easy to understand why they fall for each other over the course of the film.

As expected in any Hallmark-esque holiday film, the settings are picturesque and charming. The film was shot in Ottawa, Canada, standing in for Milwaukee, and the snowflakes and twinkling lights create a cozy ambiance that will leave viewers feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

One of the other standout performances in the movie is that of Fran Drescher, who plays Hugo's mother. Drescher has a long history of playing strong and lovable characters on screen, and her role in The Christmas Setup is no different. She brings a level of wit and charm to the role of Kate, and the relationship between her and her son is both heartwarming and funny.

Overall, The Christmas Setup is a wonderful addition to the world of holiday movies, and a significant step forward in terms of representation for the LGBTQ+ community in the genre. It manages to be both aspirational and realistic, and the chemistry between the leads ensures that viewers will be invested from start to finish.

Fans of classic holiday rom-coms and those looking for a fresh twist on the genre will both find something to love about The Christmas Setup, which delivers both heart and humor in equal measure. It's a worthy addition to any holiday watchlist, and proof that there is always room for new voices and stories at this festive time of year.

The Christmas Setup is a 2020 tv movie. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.