Grinch in a Manger: ‘Christmas As Usual’ Makes You as Uncomfortable as Indian Actor Kanan Gill Coping With Norwegian Winter
- The edgy racial tones overwhelm the film’s comedic intensions making less than heartwarming for the festive season.
As my son plans to spend this Christmas in Norway, I decided to check out the 2023 film “Christmas As Usual” on Netflix. The snowy backdrop, picturesque white landscape, and inhabitants adorned in hand-knit red-and-white sweaters evoked a Hallmark card come to life. However, beneath the festive exterior, the film unfolded as an unusual and somewhat dark Christmas romantic comedy.
Thea, portrayed by Ida Ursin-Holm, returns home for Christmas, embodying the ideal daughter to appease her recently widowed mother, Anne Lise (Marit Andreassen). However, the joyous spirit quickly dissipates when Anne Lise discovers that Thea’s significant other, Jashan, played by an Indian stand-up comedian and actor Kanan Gill, is not just an Uber driver but a “brown boy.”
Anne Lise, struggling to mask her disbelief and hurt, even goes as far as referring to Jashan as Shazaam. The expensive solitaire on Thea’s ring finger contrasts sharply with Jashan, a misfit in the snow-drenched Norwegian landscape. Thea, fearing her mother’s reaction, hides her engagement ring, awaiting the right moment to reveal their impending marriage.
The film portrays Thea’s family as less than welcoming, with Anne-Lise displaying extreme passive-aggressiveness and harboring hopes of Thea rekindling her relationship with the conveniently located ex, Jørgen. Amid these challenges, Thea and Jashan find themselves entangled in plots and snares designed to make Jashan fail.
“Christmas As Usual” fails to deliver the heartwarming portrayal of Norwegian Christmas traditions. The excessive obsessions and sadistic elements overshadow the festive spirit.
Despite capturing the beauty of Norwegian landscapes, the film delves into uncomfortable territory, particularly concerning Anne-Lise’s behavior, raising concerns about racial insensitivity. While showcasing a cozy Norwegian Christmas at its best, the film risks being perceived as outright racist at its worst.
The central couple’s sweet beginning and ending are marred by the prolonged mistreatment that Jashan faces from Thea’s family and her ex-boyfriend. Anne-Lise’s behavior is depicted as villainous, yet Thea’s lack of understanding and communication with Jashan is equally disheartening and appalling. She insists that Jashan eat Pork rinds dipped in Pork fat sauce (thinking he would abstain because of his religion but Jashan educates her by telling her he is a Hindu not a Muslim, not that it matters to Anne-Louise who pretends to have a “near fatal” reaction to Jasham’s rice and lentil preparation!
The film presented an unusual premise that could have been explored for its comedic potential. Injecting a mix of Paresh Rawal and Johnny Lever could have added a humorous layer, addressing cultural differences with quick wit and improvisation.
The film’s attempt to showcase interracial relationships navigating cultural differences falls short due to its sadistic edge. Instead of fostering warmth, the film feels discomforting, with questionable Christmas traditions and insensitive actions.
Kanan Gill’s portrayal of Jashan and his commitment to enduring icy waters and challenging slopes adds depth to his performance. However, the film’s intention to bridge cultural gaps or issue a warning to interracial couples remains unclear.
In the end, “Christmas As Usual” fails to deliver the heartwarming portrayal of Norwegian Christmas traditions. The excessive obsessions and sadistic elements overshadow the festive spirit.
In my opinion, the film is not the ideal choice for the holiday season. Its uncomfortable racial undertones and unaddressed issues make it a difficult watch. If the aim is to celebrate love and cultural diversity, there are better alternatives. As a viewer, I would hesitate to recommend it and might suggest to my son to reconsider his plans to visit Norway at Christmas.
If the writer-director, Peter Holmsen, intended “Christmas As Usual” as an homage to the real-life story of his sister and brother-in-law, it may not resonate well for general consumption. It’s also off-putting that Thea’s brother goes by Simen, and Thea’s ex-boyfriend is encouraged to play Santa Claus by Anne-Lise, insisting that Thea sits on his knee.
I find solace in revisiting classic Hallmark movies to immerse myself in the true Christmas spirit and celebrate the birth of Christ. I look forward to watching “Home Alone,” “Elf, A Christmas Story,” and “Miracle on 34th Street” with a bowl of popcorn in hand.
With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home India, and a heart steeped in humanity, writing is a contemplative practice for Monita Soni. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner WLRH 89.3FM.