“The Holiday”
Directed by: Nancy Meyers. Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Rufus Sewell.
It’s often been said that love will find you when and where you least expect it. In “The Holiday”, writer and director Nancy Meyers presents two characters that are looking to escape their failed relationships.
Iris (Kate Winslet) has just found out that Jasper (Rufus Sewell), a coworker whose been stringing her along for three years, is engaged to another woman. Amanda’s (Cameron Diaz) learned that her boyfriend has been cheating on her. After kicking him out of the house, she decides she needs to get away from it all, take a break from her life, and be alone. Amanda meets Iris online and they agree to swap homes for the holidays. That switch brings Iris to Los Angeles and Amanda to a small village in England.
Both women are reinvigorated by their environments and the new people they meet. Soon after her arrival in England, Amanda meets Graham (Jude Law), Iris’ brother. In Los Angeles, Iris meets Miles (Jack Black), a work associate of Amanda’s. Now, the two women who were looking to escape love are suddenly faced with the possibility of new relationships.
There’s one other character in need of mention in this film. While in LA, Iris meets Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), a retired Hollywood screenwriter. Iris and Arthur form a close, perfect friendship. He’s there to listen to her and help her confidence and she helps him prepare for a huge event in his future. Wallach is great in this role and it’s a really sweet story within the film.
“The Holiday” is a romantic comedy with a lot of heart. It’s an entertaining story with flawed characters that felt real. It’s a fun ride watching them go through the ups and downs of their relationships.
Story: B+
Acting: A-
Visuals: B
Originality: B
Enjoyability: B+
Overall: B |
