A still from ‘La Palma’
| Photo Credit: Netflix
Yes, some of the events in the Norwegian mini-series beggar belief, including how many times the family splits up. However, the show following a Norwegian family on holiday in the Canary Islands is enormous fun with its grumbling volcano, imminent threat of tsunami, engaging cast of characters, picture-perfect locations and thrilling visuals.
Jennifer (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal), her school teacher husband, Fredrik (Anders Baasmo Christiansen) and two children, 17-year-old Sara (Alma Günther) and Tobias (Bernard Storm Lager) are taking their annual vacation at La Palma, the westernmost of the Canary Islands. Though they get an upgrade to a fancier room, their holiday has not started on a good note.
La Palma (Norwegian)
Creators: Martin Sundland, Lars Gudmestad, Harald Rosenløw Eeg
Cast: Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Alma Günther, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Bernard Storm Lager, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Jorge de Juan, Ruth Lecuona, Armund Harboe, Jenny Evensen, Iselin Shumba Skjæveslandn, Thorbjørn Harr
Episodes: 4
Runtime: 39 – 50 minutes
Storyline: A family vacationing in La Palma are caught in the chaos following the eruption of volcano
Fredrik feels priorities have changed for Jennifer once she has started yoga and daily workouts. Jennifer feels Fredrik is not putting any effort into himself or the relationship. Sara is withering away in her room while Tobias, who is on the autism spectrum, needs everything to be just so.
On the island, Marie (Thea Sofie Loch Næss), who is doing her doctorate on studying water for geological clues, at the La Palma Geological Institute, discovers an anomaly. Her findings point to volcanic activity, which will cause the side of the mountain to shear off into the ocean creating a tsunami, causing destruction on an unimaginable scale.
While Marie’s colleague, Haukur (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) believes her, their boss, Álvaro (Jorge de Juan), asks for more data. Haukur explains Álvaro’s hesitance is because the last time there was a volcanic eruption in 2021, bringing up the tsunami warning almost cost him his job.
A still from ‘La Palma’
| Photo Credit:
Netflix
Marie and her brother, Erik (Amund Harboe) had a close call with the 2004 tsunami, which left them scarred in different ways. Things come to a head with the volcano erupting, a falling out between Erik and Marie, and Sara meeting the beautiful Charlie (Jenny Evensen).
With the Canary Islands being a popular holiday destination, embassies all over the world are monitoring the situation in La Palma. In the Norwegian embassy, Jens (Thorbjørn Harr), Jennifer’s brother, tries to warn Jennifer to leave before the evacuation is officially announced, to beat the chaos and panic.
The four episodes of La Palma whizz by in a flurry of spectacular visuals and unbelievable tension. The gathering tsunami radiates a terrible beauty as does the red gold lava inexorably coming down the mountain. Despite there being the regular suspects of a disaster movie, from the crashing plane (two!) to the squabbling family and the heroic last stand, La Palma gives off an endearing whiff of freshness.
The foundation on real events, (Steven N. Ward and Simon Day proposed the Cumbre Vieja tsunami hazard in a 2001 research article and the Cumbre Vieja did erupt in 2021) ensures that one is invested in the proceedings. And thankfully there is no family dog in danger.
La Palma is currently streaming on Netflix
Published – December 25, 2024 01:14 pm IST
