New to Netflix from today is the Norwegian Christmas comedy-drama, Christmas as Usual (aka Så Var Det Jul Igjen). Directed by Petter Holmsen, the film is based on a true story, and stars Ida Ursin-Holm and Kanan Gill.
In the movie, it’s Christmas time and after her boyfriend, Jashan, proposes to her, Thea takes him home to Norway to spend the holidays with her family. Jashan is understandably very excited about meeting his future in-laws, but Thea is nervous and apprehensive about the situation.
The reason Thea is apprehensive is because she hasn’t told her mother much about Jashan, including the fact he is of Indian descent. She knows this is something which will pose a problem, as Thea’s mother has no experience with other nationalities and she has some preconceptions too.
Because of the difficulties surrounding her mother, Thea also hasn’t revealed she is engaged. She hopes to get her mother to like Jashan first before she breaks the news.
But things don’t run smoothly, and she is unable to find the right time to speak about her engagement. Thea also struggles to get her mother to accept Jashan, which causes difficulties throughout their visit.
I believe it’s important to note that Christmas as Usual isn’t a bad movie. It has many likeable elements, which I’ll discuss in a moment, and it is an easy watch.
However, Christmas as Usual does feel a bit of an odd movie. It’s odd, because the film’s central premise, which is essentially built around prejudice and racism, is the sort of subject matter previously served up during the 1970s.
We’re fifty years on now, and while racism is sadly still ever-present, and something which is unfortunately on the rise again, it is unusual to see it feature in a movie in the way it does here. Christmas as Usual isn’t a hard hitting drama, which highlights what prejudices look like in 2023, it is more of a twee picture which feels stuck in the past.
The mother is a bit racist, gets irritated by Jashan, everyone tiptoes around this, and that’s it. This sort of thing would have worked decades ago, when parents had more sway and when casual racism was brushed under the carpet, but in 2023 it seems odd.
Yes, intolerances still happen, especially with families around the Christmas period, but the way the film tackles this topic doesn’t really reflect contemporary times. Or perhaps it does – I’m not from Norway, so maybe I’m missing something here.
But I am from the UK, which is dealing with its own issues surrounding intolerances and racism, and if these issues were discussed on film in the exact same way, I’d also say it was dated in its approach. I simply can’t imagine a self-sufficient adult daughter from 2023 not calling out this kind of behaviour, not sticking up for their boyfriend, and not supporting him in any way.
Putting the dated presentation to one side for a moment, everything else in Christmas as Usual is fine. The cast are solid, the film is beautifully shot, and there are some mildly amusing moments.
The film also includes some ongoing commentary about how Thea’s mother is struggling to adapt to anything new since her husband passed away. This is used by Thea and her family to excuse her mother’s behaviour, and the way in which she latches onto traditions while dismissing anything new does make some kind of sense in terms of her battle with grief.
None of this is particularly deep stuff by the way, but this material does help within the wider context of the story. The film still feels dated, but at least there is a little bit of an explanation about her difficulties accepting a stranger into her life.
But is it enough of an explanation? I’m not convinced.
I have to say I feel conflicted over Christmas as Usual, because there are parts I like and there are parts which I don’t believe work. The good parts are enjoyable to watch, which is a positive, but overall the film doesn’t bring anything new to the table.
However, Christmas as Usual comes from a place filled with good intentions, and this can’t be overlooked. So, while it does have one foot in the past, it’s not completely without merit.
If you’re intrigued, then you may wish to give it a go, but don’t expect anything particularly new and certainly nothing mind blowing. However, it is fine for what it is and this may be enough for some.
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