Menorah in the Middle (2022 Hulu)
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Cast: Cristián de la Fuente, Sarah Silverman, Lucy DeVito, Jonah Platt
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Hulu)
This year for Hanukah, Sarah is headed back home with her new fiancé, Chad, to meet her parents. Things go haywire when she discovers the family’s bakery is in danger of closing down. Her father has a heart attack, and her fiancé is the one planning to take over the Family business. All seems lost until she runs into her old school friend Ben, who tries to help her save the bakery while also showing her the true meaning of love, family, and the spirit of Hanukah.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie starts with a busser who pretty much summarizes the exposition in two seconds!
Sarah (a food blogger), is in Paris with Chad (the Goy). They are celebrating their 9-month anniversary, and Chad makes a pragmatic proposal with a ring hidden inside a macaron. (Despite the fact that he doesn’t eat carbs.) Sarah accepts and is worried he hasn’t met the family yet. Chad is non-faced by this and is sure he will charm them.
On the plane ride home, Sara quizzes him on Hanukkah and family trivia. Then they land, and Chad leaves for the hotel while Sarah gets a ride with her brother Jake to her parent’s house. They talk about the baker for the whole ride, and then Jacob screeches the car to a stop because he thinks they forgot Sarah’s boyfriend.
Linda and Frank greet Sarah at the bakery. They are overjoyed that Sarah is home for Hanukkah and less than thrilled that Chad is staying in a hotel. (They wonder what they did to offend him.)
As Sarah gets settled, Neighbor Ben (her high school love) calls her outside, ala Romeo/Rapunzuels prince. He has been traveling the world as a photographer. Their flirting is interrupted by Chad’s arrival.
Chad’s version of charming the family is awkwardly asserting Linda she looks like Sarah’s sister and telling Jake that he looks like “A Jewish Ben Stiller.” Over dinner, Chad’s only question to get to know the family better is, “what is the wifi password.” Chad doesn’t even spend the night because the bed is too small.
The following day, Chad brings over some bread from another bakery, Panda Bread! It is just another faux pas on the list.
Sarah walks through the neighborhood with Ben and sees how everything in town has closed. The family bakery isn’t doing well, and Frank’s health isn’t what it used to be.
It is the first night of Hanukkah, and they play dreidel and drink wine. Playing dreidel has never looked more fun. When everyone is properly drunk, they chow down on latkas. Chad becomes overly competitive and accidentally punches Frank in the face and knocks over a vase of grandpa’s ashes.
Frank has to stay in the hospital for longer than anticipated. (High Blood Pressure) The family steps up to run the bakery during the busiest season. Chad even helps with the finances and accounting. (Late, he makes a chart presentation that looks more like a game of Pictionary.) He realizes they are going to have to sell the bakery or make $40,000.
Chad makes Ben feel like an outsider because he is jealous. He tells Ben to stop taking pictures of the bakery, but the pictures inspire Sarah to create many posts for the bakery and use a hashtag! #RaiseDough
Then a saving the bakery montage happens with everyone doing their part.
Sarah meets Ben out, and they talk about the time he kissed her. They are vibing. Then they call everyone in their summer camp to encourage them to bring their family to the bakery.
Chad proposes that he marry Sarah to get the building. It doesn’t go over well.
Cut to The Baum Sister Cooking Show. Sarah and Laura Silverman get a call from their mother telling them to promote the bakery. They show up at the bakery for a filming segment about rugelach. They also pay for the free rugelach that Frank gave them as kids. They pay the difference that Frank owes because it is Hanukkah.
Sarah and Chad break up, leaving her free to explore her relationship with Ben. The Baum sisters see them and play “Menorah in the Middle,” where they put a menorah in between Sarah and Ben and then take it away so they can kiss.
Jacob gets an offer to work for the Baum sisters in New York. Frank and Linda give their son their blessing.
One Hanukkah later, Jacob is successful on the show, and Ben/Sarah runs the bakery.
The movie ends with an imperfect musical number, and it is very charming.
Side Note
Minority Report: Chad, Saggar, Doctor, Alice, Layla, Jacob,
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Christmas Trees represent the Christmas vibes. *** I’ve updated the rating system. Wine is overall enjoyment (NOT a value judgment) on a 1-5 scale.
I will use the following tags for those who want to know if they should watch or skip: Pour it Up (Would Recommend) or Put A Cork In It (Would Not Recommend).
Overall rating
Hanukkah Feels
🕎🕎🕎🕎 (4 Menorahs Tree)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
*Photo Credit: © 2022 Hulu
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You spelled Hanukkah wrong, you antisemite.