This is a new must-see TV series showing on SBS on Saturday nights. It is the improbable story of Frank "The Fixer" Tagliani, a New York gangster who turns Crown witness and goes into witness protection in Lillehammer, Norway after falling in love with the place during the 1994 Winter Olympics. As Giovanni "Johnny" Henriksen he lives in a humble abode next door to the Chief of Police and drives an electric car. He is often seen out and about wearing headphones in an effort to learn Norwegian.
Right from his arrival in Norway we start to see why he is called "The Fixer". He rights wrongs perpetrated by youths on the train and already makes some useful alliances. Proving himself to be a gangster with a heart of gold, he saves a wandering sheep, takes a posse out to kill a marauding wolf which later killed the aforesaid sheep (despite the group being warned off by the Chief of Police) and explores "cultural differences" with the local public servant in the employment agency, using some naughty photos found in a local cabin as persuasion to do a favour for the mother of the boy who lost his sheep and to help him get a bar licence (previously "too complicated").
He seems quite keen on Sigrid, the single mother, in a gentlemanly sort of way, so it will be interesting to see where this leads.
The language effortlessly shifts from English to Norwegian and back again (sub-titles are supplied) and this is really no impediment to understanding. For the most part, the Norwegian is clearly spoken and it is possible to pick up a reasonable amount of the meaning if you have an everyday knowledge of the language. There is a little bit of low-level swearing in both languages but not enough to be offensive.
Having lived in Norway and experienced the scenery, climate and culture it is just hilarious at times to see Johnny challenging the law-abiding status quo and appealing to the rebel within. He gets things done in a way that looks after "the little people" and protects the disenfranchised and vulnerable.
Steven Van Zandt is perfect as the gangster, reprising a similar role that he played in the Sopranos, and he is also a writer, producer and music consultant for the series (also being a long-time Bruce Springsteen band member). The Norwegian cast members are very believable as ordinary small-town citizens.
It has been a very promising start and well worth continued viewing. There were two very good reviews of the series in "The Age" recently, including a feature article in the "Green Guide". Both gave it a good rating.
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