“Christmas as Usual”

(“Så var det jul igjen”), (2023): 

Not Exactly

Thea is returning to her rural roots to celebrate a classic Norwegian Christmas with her family. However, this year she's coming home accompanied by Jashan, her Indian fiancé. Generations of preconceived beliefs and traditions are about to be turned on their heads.

The culture and heritage of Norway is distinctive. Likewise, the culture and heritage of India is also distinctive. On face, the two countries share little in terms of common characteristics. Little, that is, except that one key connection carrying the eternal power to unify humankind.

Love.

Bliss. More like blitz.

Thea’s kin constantly call Jashan “Shazam”. As a guy who, over the course of life, has been called everything from Smithstead to Smysestaid to Sniffwistead (yes, really), I feel your pain, brother. Still, it is meant to be laughed with, not at. And we do. A lot.

Even so, the recurring gaff serves as ongoing indication of just how unenthused they all are to welcome this “foreigner” into their midst. Particularly during such a uniquely special season for this close-knit clan.

Shaz...er...Jashan curries curry to his potential future in-laws as part of a homeland-inspired holiday feast. They are instantly irked. His Norwegian hosts counter by serving up a supper of, in Jashan’s unsparing categorization, fat with fat sauce. Needless to say, this surprise visitor is not a big fan of Norwegian festive fare.

In the end, and seeing how this Netflix production is characterized as a Christmas rom-com, we all know where this is going to eventually wind up. But the journey to get from here to there in “Christmas as Usual” is an uncommonly sweet, funny and touching expedition.

And, perhaps most poignantly, there is affirmation that the enduring Norwegian quality of acceptance of all is alive and well.

I and my family wish you all a most hjertelig og blid God Jul!