Netflix
Bernstein story and Christmas highlights sweeten the celebration
Moving Bernstein film for Christmas: Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan in “Maestro”.
© Jason McDonald/Netflix
Netflix is offering attractive film and series highlights for the festival, including the star-studded biopic “Maestro” about Leonard Bernstein.
They shine brightly under the Netflix Christmas tree: the streaming highlights for the holiday. Whether a film biopic about the life of the music legend Leonard Bernstein or humorous and romantic films and series: There is something for everyone in the Netflix X-Mas mix 2023. With these highlights, Netflix is vying for a place under its subscribers’ Christmas tree:
“Maestro”
From December 20th, Netflix will be streaming a very special highlight that not only music fans should be looking forward to. “Maestro” tells the life story of the world-famous composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, who died in 1990. Bradley Cooper (48), who learned to conduct specifically for the role, was hired to play the lead role and direct. And this is where the film begins: The 28-year-old young composer Leonard Bernstein meets Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan, 38) at a party. From then on, the graceful and interesting woman enchants his life. But Bernstein carries a deep secret with him. After her marriage, Felicia discovers that her husband also has relationships with men. In order not to burden her husband, who is now considered one of the greatest composers and conductors of all time, or her three children, she keeps the secret to herself. However, the lonely nights and her husband’s immersion in music demand everything from her. Their relationship, in which they both soon have extramarital affairs, is continually put to the test.
“Family Switch”
In this family comedy, everything has been going haywire since November 30th. Jess (Jennifer Garner, 51) and Bill Walker (Ed Helms, 49) are parents of two. Unfortunately, their growing children want to have less and less to do with them. But a magical encounter between the two of them and a fortune teller changes everything. The roles in the family are suddenly completely reversed – on the most important day of their lives…
“Best. Christmas. Ever!”
The Christmas comedy is about a funny competition between friends: Every year Jackie (Brandy Norwood, 44) sends out a boastful newsletter at Christmas time – and every year her old university friend Charlotte (Heather Graham, 53) feels bad about it. When Charlotte and her family accidentally end up at Jackie’s house on a snowy day just before Christmas, Charlotte wants to take advantage of the opportunity. She wants to prove that her friend’s life isn’t as perfect as she pretends. In addition to Heather Graham and R’n’B star Brandy, Jason Biggs (45) and Matt Cedeño (49) play the other main roles.
“Virgin River” – The Christmas Special
The tranquil Virgin River shines in Christmas splendor. In the Christmas episodes of the fifth season, all fans of the series can expect more than just festive tranquility: Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge, 41) is looking for her biological father. He’s supposed to live in Virgin River – what a Christmas surprise. Will she find him? Good news for Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley): she gives birth to her twins – two real Christmas children. In addition, Virgin River prepares for the annual Christmas tree decorating competition, while Mel and Jack (Martin Henderson, 49) go on a scavenger hunt in search of Mel’s father.
“Christmas with a difference”
“Christmas with a difference” has been on Netflix since December 6th. In the Norwegian Christmas film, two cultures come together that could hardly be more different: Norway and India. In the snowy Norwegian winter wonderland, Thea Evjen (Ida Ursin Holm, 32) has a special Christmas surprise for her family this year. She brings her new boyfriend Jashan (Kannan Gill, 33) to her family for the holidays. Because of Jashan’s Indian roots, Thea’s family’s lifelong Norwegian Christmas traditions are shaken in a very humorous way. The color clash within the film alone is spectacular: the bright colors of Bollywood meet the cold Norwegian winter. A film that doesn’t just melt ice. By the way, the story of the film is based on a true story.
“I hate Christmas”
Contrary to its title, this Italian Christmas series is a must-watch for fans of romantic comedies. Pilar Fogliati (30) plays Gianna, a young woman looking for true love. In the second season of the hit series from December 7th, the secret of who rang Gianna’s doorbell on Christmas will finally be revealed. It’s been a year since the fateful evening and, surprisingly, Gianna is no longer solo. For the first time she is looking forward to Christmas. But just at the celebration of love, Gianna makes a serious mistake that means the end of their relationship. It takes a lot of Christmas magic to win her ex-boyfriend back. What could be more fitting than family dinner on Christmas Eve? The second season of the adaptation of the Norwegian hit series “Christmas at Home” also promises pure romance and family entertainment.