Debated on whether to give this dopey, trudging Christmas rom-com an extra half star just to not be “that guy” on LB trashing a dopey rom-com for being a dopey rom-com. But when it’s this dopey a rom-com, why bother with charity? I disliked this barely-there film. There. Guilty.

also… something something target market… something something.

The Merry Gentlemen is about a Broadway showgirl who has been aged out of her job so she goes back home to her Christmas rom-com hometown. She finds out her family’s small town dance club (?) is about to be closed so she organizes a (PG) male strip review to raise the money to save the day. Also it’s Christmastime.

As baby’s day out Magic Mike, I guess four of the five dudes and their six packs are up for the job of some mild-mannered bumping and grinding. So if you’ve come for the man meat, you probably won’t be disappointed. As long as you accept this is a Christmas movie so they leave their jeans on. I guess you gotta leave room for the holy spirit.

As a rom-com between leads Brit Robertson and Chad Michael Murray… whatever. It’s just… whatever. This might depend on how dreamy you think Mr. Murray was on One Tree Hill or the dozen Christmas movies he’s been up to since. I wasn’t missing out… so whatever.

It’s barely a Christmas movie but maybe it’s worth listening to as background fuzz? If you are a hopeless romantic or want to count six packs, you might get something out of it. I did not. Moving on.

Score: 58