My Norwegian Holiday
A Norwegian Christmas (lite)
This is one of those quintessential examples of how these films are done a disservice with filming done outside of the Christmas season. A quick Google Image search of the title yields many more interesting photos of Norway at Christmas than are seen in this movie, but I digress…
JJ embarks on an impromptu Norwegian Christmas visit with stranger turned new friend and future boyfriend, Henrik. She’s quickly welcomed into this stranger’s family (I want to think that all Norwegians are just that welcoming and kind), while she uses the opportunity to investigate where her grandmother’s cherished gnome came from in Norway.
Well, wouldn’t you know it, we have another secret family movie! Seriously - two in a row this season with orphans finding their long-lost family. But it wouldn’t be Hallmark without some coincidental connections that wrap it all up in a bow.
You see, Henrik was only in the U.S. to get treatment for a serious ski injury. And JJ’s long-lost grandfather, well, that would be Henrik’s former coach who has been patiently awaiting his return as an opportunity to pass the torch.
A decent little watch - no tears, but also not cringey.
It did remind me though - Hallmark seems to have done a lot of European-based movies this year. More than normal? Nice to see, but again, some of the magic of Europe at Christmas is lost in the off-season filming.
Classic Christmas movie tropes:
Secret family
Christmas traditions - Norwegian, in this case
Christmas tree farm
You’ll like this if…
You like the European-filmed movies and long-lost family drama.
SCORE: 5/10
Tell me more!
JJ, grieving the loss of her grandmother and seeking dissertation inspiration, stumbles upon an unexpected holiday destiny. Meeting Henrik, a Norwegian from Bergen, their connection deepens when he discovers she has a troll figurine from his hometown. To explore the troll’s history and her grandmother’s ties, JJ agrees to join Henrik on a journey to Norway. In Bergen, they’re drawn into Henrik’s family Christmas and wedding traditions, with his sister’s wedding the day before Christmas Eve. JJ embarks on a holiday adventure, uncovering the troll’s origins and finding her own path to healing, love and family. Starring Rhiannon Fish and David Elsendoorn.
