I Hate Christmas

I Loved this series. I haven't seen Home for Christmas, so I don't have the comparison. But I thoroughly enjoyed this on its own. Yes, there are plenty of cliches, but it's a Christmas series. What do you expect, Ingmar Bergman? The Italian actress reminded me of a young, glamorous Lucille Ball with touch of the comic about her. She was thorougly believable. And I thought the surrounding cast, particularly the women. Were outstanding. The Italian cinematic backdrop was icing on the cake. Having some familiarity with Italian culture and families, I can imagine the special pressure the daughter would feel. I look forward to watching Home for Christmas, but I will resist comparing it to this excellent series.

Agree with other reviews, why did Netflix create an Italian series of what was a fun and sympathetic Norwegian series. The original is a much more complex and nuanced series with greater character development and sympathy for the lead. In this new version it feels like everyone is just going through the motions and it has no real connection with Italy and why the main character behaves the way she behaves and her friends and family have no depth either. It's cringy and embarrassing to watch. Whereas the Norwegian series had more of a soul and real humanity to it along with a wonderful snow filled setting. Filming in Venice felt bizarre and jarring, the changes made felt stilted. It's an interesting idea to tell a similar story set in another country but better to do it so you keep the sense of place and real characters and things that could happen as one reflects the culture rather than repeating a story point by point as if we the viewers are stupid.

The Netflix descriptor begins ' Every Christmas is the same story' - well of course it when you copy from the original (The Norwegian Home for Christmas) which was released last Xmas on Netflix!! Do they acknowledge this anywhere? Hugely disappointing from a company that supposedly prides itself on its creativity here shamelessly copy and pasting Oslo into Venice and expecting audiences not to notice as it sinks

This Italian has a sexier lead than the Norwegian but her beauty and charm make it hard to accept the premise of her being unable to attract or keep a boyfriend.

But otherwise I'd strongly recommend Home for Christmas which feels like the real deal unlike soggy imitation that is more panned than panettone.

Yes, it's a fantasy Italy, but isn't Christmas also a fantasy? We all yearn for something foreign to ourselves. It may have been modelled on a Scandinavian setting, but it still managed to convey the Italian charm in a very warm and friendly way, especially with the lead actress. I want to see more of her, a great actress with emotional depth! I love these little entanglements, which also don't correspond to reality at this speed. It is a light and entertaining series, perfect for the depressing and gloomy times we are currently living in. The series is naive, but positive and entertaining and lets you forget about everyday life for a few moments. Sometimes you need plump things to solve more important things. And the clumsiness itself is art!

I loved the original Norwegian series by Per-Olav Sorensen 'Hjem Til Jul' (Home for Christmas 2019-2020), it took me a bit by surprise as it didn't end up being a complete cliche, but that didn't prevent me from enjoy this Italian version of the series.

There were elements that were identical to the Norwegian original, but there were plenty that were not. Let's start with one of the main reasons to watch this two season Christmas series...and that is the gorgeous backdrop of Chioggia, Italy. The boats, canals, bridges, Christmas markets, lights, bell tower and local nativity scenes...not to mention the lovely Italian language itself.

I really enjoyed the Norwegian actress Ida Elise Broch, who played Johanne the nurse and still single 30 year old in the original. I think Pilar Fogliati, who plays Gianna, is lovely...in fact maybe too lovely to be believable as a single 30 something, but she is a fantastic actress who manages too pull off some of the quirkier aspects of her character.

If you enjoy romantic holiday comedy series, I think you will enjoy this one. The backdrop in Italy really added a lot for me and I loved seeing the individual nativities...I also liked seeing the icons of Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus in their canal boat (it added a whole level of comedy to have the Baby Jesus lost and ongoing scenes with divers etc. Trying to recover him). There was more comedy than the original Norwegian series...plenty of colorful knitted sweaters, and a different message in the end. My review is based on watching tge series in its original Italian with English subtitles. (I was a little confused with the English translation about seeing the Santa sleigh? I am guess it was the equivalent of seeing fireworks when you "fall in love"?). Overall a pleasant way to pass the time, not quite as good as the Norwegian original, but enjoyable all the same.

Review based on watching in it's original Italian with English subtitles.