Trivia at St. Nick’s

Christmas at St. Nick’s is the delightful and funny holiday romantic film is full of cliches that describes an annual holiday trivia contest held at St. Nick’s Tavern, a bar in an uninteresting little town. Lauren (Sarah Ramos), a school teacher and an obsessed trivia player, is thrilled to be part of the town’s holiday trivia competition, the first one of such during the holiday season. But when she learns that Jake (Matt Lauria), her long time high school arch rival, will also be in it, both their old competitive instincts are rekindled. So in an attempt to come out tops, Lauren and Jake go to different teams and soon begin throwing facts, sentiments, and history about the holidays at each other which only helps strengthen their emotional connection.

In as much as Lauren’s and Jake’s trivia competition becomes more intense, their emotions and unresolved feelings towards one another keep on intruding and they have to make reconsiderations concerning their earlier judgments towards one another. In the middle of disturbing and humorous Christmas trivia and centered in a warm pub, St. Nick’s evolves into a comical and loving setting where people embrace themselves and the story, resulting in fun and pleasant conclusive events full of exhilaration and romance.

Awards & Wins:

Trivia has been included in the recent comedy movies Christmas at St. Nick’s that has not earned any notable accolades, but due to its witty storyline, charming characters, and the spirit of the season, the film has steadily found its place among viewers as a satisfying winter film.

Cast & Crew:

Director: Chris McElroy

Main Cast:

Sarah Ramos as Lauren – A high school teacher obsessed with trivia, who finds herself caught up in old time while learning how to deal with some old unresolved feelings.

Matt Lauria as Jake – Lauren’s ex-high school opponent who adds spice to the trivia competing with Lauren on the trivia night.

Joanna Garcia Swisher as Maggie – Lauren’s best friend and trivia club member providing comfort, fun and wisdom as always.

Ron Funches as Sam – With warm character and awesome hosting skills, Sam is the bartender and the trivia host who cheers up everybody and makes the contest interesting.

Screenplay: Liz Donovan | The screenplay manages to introduce holiday elements alongside witty conversations owing to the robust banter and chemistry between Lauren and Jake.

Cinematography: Directed by John Powell, this picturesque setting showcases the beautiful holiday decorations and Christmas lights in St. Nick’s Tavern, providing the visual of a calm setting of a cozy town during Christmas.

Music: The score includes Christmas classics and light-hearted tunes that complement the enthusiastic illustrations of the friendly rivalry and romance in the storyline.

IMDb Ratings:

IMDb Score: 7.1/10

Trivia at St Nick’s was positively reviewed particularly for its cast of endearing characters, holiday spirit, and its quaint setting. Critics have pointed out that the plot was a little clichè yet, this romantic comedy was well received for its inherent warmth and the real chemistry of the lead pair.

Personal Insights:

Trivia at St Nick’s takes the holiday rom-com premise and turns it on its head by linking it with a trivia competition and making the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope much more fun to watch. The odds of Sarah Ramos and Matt Lauria’s characters being in a verbal conflict only to develop a romance is increased through their on-screen banter and personality…or rather their characters’ personality. Their transition from rivalry to understanding is hilarious as much as it is easy to watch in many ways so the film is pleasant to watch.

Ron Funches as Sam, the host of the trivia, is splendid and hosts the trivia hosts with a unique charm. This is further added to by the many puns he makes. Ron really makes the trivia night more fun and engaging as the audience is reminded of the essence of the season – joy.

Cultural Significance:

The film, Trivia at St. Nicks, fits well within the magic of small town traditions and gatherings appealing to those nostalgic of local festivities and family get together while also blending in the essence of friendly rivalries and bustling voices over many internal shenanigans that often take place during the winter festivities.

Katherine and Tanya describe their work on the film simply as ‘women’s holiday story’, which seems to be the next generation of Asian American films. The need to represent a ‘multicultural America’ and telling holiday themed stories resonates with the audience almost echoing the very sentiment through its comedy filled tone.