Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fish-out-of-water dramedy has some mature content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
LILYHAMMER is a dramatic comedy that follows a mobster-turned-witness who moves to Norway hide from his enemies. After voluntarily testifying against Aldo Delucci (Thomas Grube), Frank Tagliano (Steve Van Zandt) asks to be relocated to the Nordic town of Lillehammer, thanks to his memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics on television. Now an unemployed immigrant in a new country, Frank, known now as Giovanni Henricksen, begins building a quiet life and making friends among the locals, including the Lien brothers (played by Trond Fausa Aurvåg and Steinar Sagen) and Sigrid Haugli (Marian Saastad Ottesen). But he can't seem to shake his gangster instincts, which raises the suspicions of his neighbor, Laila Hovland (Anne Krigsvoll), who just happens to be Lillehammer's Chief of Police.
Is It Any Good?
The series, which is Netflix's first original program, features an ensemble cast of characters who are likable and quirky. Frank's (AKA Giovanni's) personality adds depth to the show, thanks to his unique combination of warmheartedness and street-smart mobster tactics.
Despite the mixture of English and Norwegian conversations (some of which requires subtitles), the story is both easy to follow and entertaining to watch. If you're looking for a well-written, mature series that effectively balances drama and humor, this one fits the bill.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it is like to move to another country. What are some of the benefits of doing so? What are some of the challenges? What is it like for folks from other countries moving to the U.S.?
Many of the tactics the main character uses to help his community are against the law. Do the ends justify the means?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 25, 2012
- Cast : Anne Krigsvoll , Steven Van Zandt , Trond Fausa Aurvåg
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 8, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate