This movie tried to convince us that a 57-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman could be a grandfather and a granddaughter, and you know what? I bought it. I cried like a baby, so despite logistics, we’re calling Hallmark’s My Norwegian Holiday a questionably delightful win on all fronts. It’s for all the viewers with a soft spot for invisible strings tying characters together, leading them to where they belong by divine interventions that feel cosmically appropriate. Or, in this case, through trolls, grief, and the decision to take a chance.Â
Written by Betsy Morris and directed by David Mackay, Hallmark’s My Norwegian Holiday is one of the more aesthetically pleasing holiday films of the year, but it also helps that the story is engaging from start to finish. When a coffee shop mishap leads to two people traveling to Norway together, it turns out that there’s far more in store for them than they predicted. Lineages are uncovered, secrets come to light, and, of course, all the holiday hijinks are in store with Norwegian traditions that are incredible to watch. There’s something about how Morris’ Christmas films honor traditions that work best around the holidays. (See also, 2022’s A Kismet Christmas.)
Hallmark’s My Norwegian Holiday stars Ted Lasso’s Jan Maas actor, David Elsendoorn as Henrik Strom and Rhiannon Fish as Jessica Johnson ‘JJ’ in a fated mates scenario that moves forward with well-established chemistry. In order for this trope, of all tropes, to work in a film with a limited amount of time and development, chemistry is vital to fortifying something solid. In the beginning, their banter is genuinely charming, and since Elsendoorn is playing an absolute sweetheart, his character is an all-around peach, making establishing trust feel believable.
One of the film’s best parts is the side characters. So often, with movies like this, we have the main couple as the ones who feel most grounded, but here, Henrik’s family is wonderful, too. Where do I sign up to stay at Astrid’s bed and breakfast!? Where do I sign up to also get socks knitted with love?! The mystery fumbles at times, feeling a bit too dark and obscure in a genuinely wholesome movie, but the whole twist on it provides the kind of laugh that leaves you not caring so much about the execution.
While far from a perfect film and one that might not be everyone’s cup of tea depending on the trope, Hallmark’s My Norwegian Holiday explores communication effectively and underscores how detrimental fear can be to people. It provides answers to the questions it raises at the start, and it makes sure to furnish an ending that feels right for the characters and the journeys they’re on.
It also namedrops Taylor Swift, so there are extra brownie points there, but there’s a fascinating conversation about the word love and what that truly means. It doesn’t need to be something extravagant to feel lived-in and wholesome. There are plenty of adorable moments within the development, thoroughly impressive performances, and a romance that provides the escapism we’re all looking for this type of year.
My Norwegian Holiday is now streaming on Frndly TV.