Odio la Navidad

Yes, it's a fantasy Italy, but isn't Christmas also a fantasy? We all yearn for something foreign to ourselves. It may have been modelled on a Scandinavian setting, but it still managed to convey the Italian charm in a very warm and friendly way, especially with the lead actress. I want to see more of her, a great actress with emotional depth! I love these little entanglements, which also don't correspond to reality at this speed. It is a light and entertaining series, perfect for the depressing and gloomy times we are currently living in. The series is naive, but positive and entertaining and lets you forget about everyday life for a few moments. Sometimes you need plump things to solve more important things. And the clumsiness itself is art!

Agree with other reviews, why did Netflix create an Italian series of what was a fun and sympathetic Norwegian series. The original is a much more complex and nuanced series with greater character development and sympathy for the lead. In this new version it feels like everyone is just going through the motions and it has no real connection with Italy and why the main character behaves the way she behaves and her friends and family have no depth either. It's cringy and embarrassing to watch. Whereas the Norwegian series had more of a soul and real humanity to it along with a wonderful snow filled setting. Filming in Venice felt bizarre and jarring, the changes made felt stilted. It's an interesting idea to tell a similar story set in another country but better to do it so you keep the sense of place and real characters and things that could happen as one reflects the culture rather than repeating a story point by point as if we the viewers are stupid.

This starts off well but starts to lose its way midway through the series. It is based on the Norwegian series 'Home for the Holidays", and in some respects is a funnier. However, it really is just a repeat of the script, but with a beautiful Venetian backdrop. Sometimes, there is a loss of continuity as maybe they are not planning on a second season, but overall it's fairly entertaining even if a bit silly. The story really doesn't go anywhere, and the final episode is just a bit too sickly sweet. It remains to be seen is there will be a second season , and if they will stick slavishly to the script or maybe change the story line around.

I love her because she was what we need to see -- she was open to love and yet, she loved people more. She was not someone's doormat but she know what she needed... And I am so glad they found baby Jesus in the end--True love, love personified makes Christmas great! For Italian family, the overbearing mom was a bit too much, but all moms are overbearing. The dad as a great counterbalance but the roommate's character as being a tinder babe was too much. If your love life is determined with an app and a overcharged libido, then what about the constant feeling of emptiness afterwards. I hope that they can continue the story because the cast is worth it!

The Netflix descriptor begins ' Every Christmas is the same story' - well of course it when you copy from the original (The Norwegian Home for Christmas) which was released last Xmas on Netflix!! Do they acknowledge this anywhere? Hugely disappointing from a company that supposedly prides itself on its creativity here shamelessly copy and pasting Oslo into Venice and expecting audiences not to notice as it sinks

This Italian has a sexier lead than the Norwegian but her beauty and charm make it hard to accept the premise of her being unable to attract or keep a boyfriend.

But otherwise I'd strongly recommend Home for Christmas which feels like the real deal unlike soggy imitation that is more panned than panettone.