Lilyhammer
2012
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
- crime
The story
After Frank The Fixer Tagliano testifies against his Mafia boss in New York, he enters the Witness Protection Program and makes an unusual demand: he wants to be set up with a new life in the Norwegian small town of Lillehammer or as he calls it, Lilyhammer.
What it’s like
Bright, flat Norwegian daylight over snowbound streets, with the ski-town landscape of Lillehammer rendered in clean wide shots of pine forest, frozen lakes and tidy wooden houses, contrasted against warm, cramped interiors of bars, cafés and the Tagliano family's kitchen. The look is glossy but unhurried, with a steady handheld-leaning camera that stays close to its characters during conversations and cuts often to New York's grime and neon for flashbacks. Sound is a mix of cheerful Americana oldies, snow-muffled quiet and the bustle of small-town life, with the tone running a dry, deadpan comedy over a current of gangland menace. Its vibe is wry, fish-out-of-water and low-simmering: a sardonic culture-clash comedy with crime edges, best for a lazy weekend binge or background viewing with a drink in hand. Violence is present and occasionally sharp, including shootings and beatings, and some strong language, though it stays more brisk than gory. Episodes move briskly with plenty of banter, and the arc follows a hardened gangster slowly, reluctantly finding a place among gentle, suspicious locals. For viewers who enjoy crime capers with a sense of humour, and anyone curious about a Nordic setting without bleak nordic noir darkness.
More TV shows like Lilyhammer
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Lilyhammerand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
