Review

Movie Review: Love, Lights, Hanukkah!
Subtitle: “DNA Tests, Latkes, and Finding Love in a Totally Predictable Twist.”

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! is Hallmark’s rare foray into a holiday story that’s not 100% about Christmas—and yet, somehow, there’s still plenty of tinsel. It’s a sweet, slightly chaotic rom-com about self-discovery, family, and the undeniable magic of fried potatoes. Because if there’s one thing that can bring people together, it’s a well-made latke.

The story follows Christina (Mia Kirshner), a restaurant owner preparing for her usual Christmas festivities when a surprise DNA test reveals she’s actually Jewish. This bombshell leads her to meet her newly discovered biological family and dive headfirst into celebrating Hanukkah. Along the way, she connects with David (Ben Savage), a charmingly awkward food critic who can’t seem to leave her alone—or stop eating her kugel.

Mia Kirshner is delightful as Christina, handling the whole “surprise, you’re Jewish!” revelation with remarkable grace and a lot of Googling. Ben Savage brings his signature Boy Meets World-level charm to David, making him the perfect Hallmark love interest: a little dorky, a lot sweet, and constantly delivering compliments that sound like they were written by a committee of grandmothers.

The movie leans heavily into Hanukkah traditions, with Christina lighting candles, spinning dreidels, and frying enough latkes to fuel a menorah for a decade. Her interactions with her new family are heartwarming, if a bit rushed—one minute she’s meeting them for the first time, and the next she’s hosting a full-blown Hanukkah dinner like a pro.

And, of course, there’s the romance. David and Christina bond over shared meals, awkward holiday events, and one very memorable candle-lighting scene where their hands “accidentally” touch. Their chemistry is sweet and understated, building slowly as Christina navigates her new identity and David figures out how to stop acting like a walking Yelp review.

Some standout moments include:
- Christina’s hilariously over-the-top attempts at making Hanukkah decorations look like a Hallmark Christmas tree explosion.
- David’s face every time he tries a new dish, as if he’s auditioning for Top Chef: Holiday Edition.
- A family latke-making competition that somehow turns into a metaphor for life, love, and finding your true self.

The movie’s climax is classic Hallmark, complete with a big family gathering, a heartfelt confession of love, and a surprise snowfall that makes zero meteorological sense. By the time Christina and David finally kiss, surrounded by twinkling lights and eight nights of feels, you’ll be grinning like someone who just discovered the perfect sour cream-to-latke ratio.

Love, Lights, Hanukkah! is a refreshing twist on the usual holiday rom-com formula, blending festive charm with a celebration of culture and family. It’s sweet, funny, and packed with enough holiday spirit to make you want to light a menorah and a Christmas tree at the same time. Grab some latkes, settle in, and enjoy this menorah-lit love story. 🕎✨❤️