Eine stürmische Bescherung (2007)

At the Four Mermaids restaurant in Toftlund-Holst, a quiet town on the Baltic Sea, preparations are underway for Christmas. The owner, Maren Torkelsen, wants everything to be perfect when her daughters Muriel, May-Brit, and Merle arrive. But only appearances are perfect. Maren’s husband Friedrich thinks he is fatally ill, but does not want to tell anyone, so he keeps out of everything, showing no interest. Yet every pair of hands is needed for the Christmas rush. There is also the worry that the restaurant’s new owner has not renewed its lease, which would mean the end of the Four Mermaids. Maren is not willing to give up without a fight. Fortunately, she has a lifelong right to live there, which she will not give up under any circumstances. The restaurant is now in the full swing of the Christmas season, and her daughters are not much help to Maren because they are busy with their own problems. Muriel has fled from her husband because, as an artist, he pushes all responsibility onto her and, as he is currently composing an opera, does not even want to look after their daughter, Maja. After Muriel simply drives to her mother’s, he quickly follows her to bring her the child. May-Brit also feels that her husband does not take her seriously, while Maren’s youngest daughter, Merle, is jealous of an acting colleague who is flirting with her boyfriend, Sören. To Maren’s great surprise, one of her guests helps her. He is not only charming and impeccably mannered, but also offers her the management of one of his hotel branches. She has no idea that she is dealing with her new landlord, Nick Winter, who has come only to use a few little tricks to get Maren to sign away her lifelong right to live there. Friedrich is already making a video message for his loved ones. He wants to make provisions and, ideally, find Maren a new partner. Since Nick Winter has caught his eye, he thinks he would be a suitable candidate. He cleverly arranges things so that, despite the Christmas rush, Maren takes a day off together with Winter. Winter takes Maren to one of his hotels and pampers her in every possible way. Friedrich is pleased that his plan is going so well, but when he learns at his next doctor’s appointment that he is perfectly healthy, his feelings change and he wants to get rid of Nick Winter as quickly as possible. His daughters come to his aid, having discovered who Nick Winter really is and what elaborate strategy he has been pursuing. Maren is a little disappointed, but this only reinforces her determination not to give up her right to live there. Winter leaves, secretly intending to reconsider his construction plans, but his ambitious architect has already taken the initiative and sends a construction crew to Maren’s restaurant. Just as the daughters are making up with their husbands, they now have to rush to their mother’s side as well. Fortunately, Nick Winter has not only had second thoughts but, out of respect for Maren, has also extended her lease. Now nothing stands in the way of their Christmas celebration together.