Film review: Magic Silver
Norwegian holiday fantasy for kids of all kinds
JOHN SMISTAD
Olympia, Wash.
Princess Fjellrose (Mountainrose) is a young gnome girl living high in the Norwegian mountains. Her small community of blue gnomes is responsible for making the transition between daylight and night. Known as “The Magic Hour,” the change occurs only with the Magic Silver, which these gnomes possess exclusively and protect closely.
Now, in all candor, children’s holiday film fare is not my typical cup o’ nog. Nothing wrong with the genre certainly. Just doesn’t serve to stuff my stocking, if ya know what I’m sayin’.
Which brings us niftily to the Norwegian family Christmas flick Magic Silver. Again, not a production I have a pressing preference to peruse. But pray tell? Not only is this effort more than tolerable, it’s downright darned delightful.
Can I get a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” from the congregation?
Julenatt i Blåfjell—Christmas Night at Blue Mountain—known as Magic Silver in its English subtitled version is holiday entertainment for the entire family.
Ane Viola Semb is both strikingly pretty and remarkably exceptional in the title role of a bashful princess, who discovers a lot about herself as she learns about life. Her fantastic journey includes striving valiantly to save the life of her aging father, the king, risking self-preservation in dutiful service to others and teaming up with the newly crowned boy monarch of the red gnomes, the doggedly determined Dreng.
As with most children’s tales, there is a lasting lesson to be harvested in Magic Silver. And hardly is it a message intended intrinsically for kids.
“When you take away, you must always give back” is the timed-honored tenant of the blue gnome family. And, as showcased in vivid and entertaining fashion in this story, though it’s not always easy, it is everlastingly rewarding.
Alas, the ultimate endorsement of Magic Silver may be that of The Norwegian American’s editor extraordinaire, Lori Ann Reinhall, who, in addition to seeing the movie, has witnessed the chronicle produced on stage in Oslo, as well. LAR calls this fable “adorable.”
’Nuff said.
Oh, just this one more thing. On behalf of our entire crew at TNA…
May sesongens magi be yours.
This article originally appeared in the Dec. 3, 2021, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
