Julestorm - La tempesta di Natale

I haven't watched a single Norwegian (actually Scandinavian) movie badly played, and this is a recommendation already. The intertwined stories reminds of Love Actually, despite it's not so funny, not so dense, and touches tougher problems. I enjoyed the sincerity and the themes approached, the script, basically everything. Even if some reviewers will complain about stereotype of some stories, each and every one of them has new angles, and in general candid ones. There is nothing really ugly in any of them, and this is what makes it a good/great Christmas story (or stories). Obviously I recommend it.

A heart warming, slow burning and beautiful mini series about what is important in life. We follow quite a couple of different people and storylines throughout a 24 hour period, who is stuck in Oslo airport because of a snowstorm, the 23'th and 24'th of December. All of our characters experience some kind of heartache together with challenges, that leads to insight, growth and redemption. And the stories intertwine perfectly with one another. I love the "low key" nordic atmosphere and humor of it all. It is relatable and authentic. And also the mix of Norwegian, Swedish and Danish characters. Norway is doing so good with these Netflix shows, and I can't wait to see what will come next.

A Santa Claus, a priest, and a concert pianist walk into a bar... Sorry, couldn't resist. There IS a bar. And a guy working as a Santa Claus. And an actual priest. And a very indignant concert pianist, whose career is in free fall. There's also a pop star with her assistant and a body guard. A constantly fighting couple with a pre-teen daughter. A young woman meeting her lover. A very nasty female attorney. A girl sitting at the bar, working on a list of things her Dad might want for Christmas. Yeah, it's almost Christmas and all these people and many more are stuck in the Oslo airport due to bad weather.

Yes, it's a very overused setup. But we were browsing through Netflix on Christmas eve and literally all other Christmas movies looked downright ridiculous. At least being stuck at an airport because of bad weather is perfectly realistic. Airports do bring together people from all walks of life. And bad weather is a great equalizer - no amount of money will get you to your destination.

Over 6 30 minute episodes we get to know each of the many characters a bit and some of them get to know each other. Acting is excellent across the board. Everyone is a living breathing human being. This being a European series, there is a lot of sadness, but also a good amount of light. A skinny black Santa Claus manages to grant at least one child her Christmas wish, sort of. And one sugary miracle is forgiven.

Of the thousands of Christmas movies I've seen since my first... Concrete-dam... I've never had this much difficulty writing a review. There are so many amazing elements. Instead of a proper critique, I'm just going to list why my parents and I absolutely LOVED it: an eclectic, hugely relatable, cast of characters, the myriad of emotions they and we expressed/felt throughout, chances are -at least- one character represents YOU, A story -and lines- written so well I'm 110% sure as least one member of the production crew has personal experience, way more true-to-life than any Hallmark movie, and to top it all off... "I CAN'T believe we MISSED that!" Want to know what "that" is? You know what to do.

If you liked "Home for Christmas" you will also like this Series. Its a heart warming look into the life of different people all sharing the same faith, as a storm causes them to be stuck at the airport.

It is not your typical christmas movie, which for chronic christmas movie watchers is a plus in it's own right.

There is not a main big-romance kind of plot going on, but of course you'll find your fair share of it.

What makes it really shine are it's many perspectives and the nuanced view on Christmas that comes with them.

If you saw "Home for Christmas", there are many actors you will meet again which is at first a bit confusing but you eventually get used to their new characters.