Rose Stone

I gave 3 stars for the first few promising episodes which cover the extraordinary escape of the Norwegian Royal family after the German invasion. I recommend the award winning film, The King’s Choice, for a better retelling of this event (this suspenseful film told in real time will have you feeling all the terror this family felt). Atlantic Crossing goes downhill after the Princess escapes to America. The last half devolves into a tired melodrama with the Crown Princess reduced to an object of obsession for FDR, and a source of jealousy for both Eleanor and FDRs secretary. Despite the film disclaiming its fictional script, these one dimensional characterization were insulting to these great historical figures. I can’t suspend belief to imagine Eleanor being so Basic or FDR being so easily distracted from his responsibilities. If you removed the scenes of the princess nervously reacting to FDR gawking you could reduce the 8-episode series in half. As a WWII buff, I am intrigued with the story of Norway’s resistance to the German aggression. I’d hoped the lengthy series would be a political thriller on how the royals and politicians involved navigated this crucial period to save Norway. But instead I got a soap opera.