Starring:
Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Edward Burns, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon and Eli Wallach

Writer/Director:
Nancy Meyers

Running Time:
138 mins

Out to buy on DVD 26/03/07

• Excellent performances from Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black
• Great support from Eli Wallach
• A romantic comedy that both female and male viewers can enjoy

 

 

"I can't believe you slept with Amanda!".... "It's still me"

Amanda's (Diaz) relationship with Ethan (Burns) has been falling apart for a long time but when she discovers he has been cheating on her, it is definitely over. Iris (Winslet) has been in love with the same man for years but he just uses her for her brain and not her body, which she so longs him to do. As both their relationships come to a head, Amanda and Iris both decide they need to get as far away from the situation as they possibly can. So via an Internet vacation site the two decide to swap houses for the Christmas holiday, with Iris travelling to Los Angeles and Amanda travelling to Surrey, England.

The festive season seems to bring out some of the best romantic comedies and 'The Holiday' is no different.

Nancy Meyers returns to the genre that made her name with another romantic comedy that is bound to become a firm favourite. After achieving critical and commercial success with 'What Women Want' and 'Something's Gotta Give', the writer/director has become synonymous with intelligent and funny romantic movies that both male and female viewers can enjoy.

The biggest problem that all romantic comedies face is how to appeal both to female and male audience. The core of any film of this type is very female orientated by definition but these are movies that are supposed to appeal to couples, so there has to be something to make the experience attractive to a male watcher as well. This is a real challenge to any writer because there is nothing worse that been dragged to a movie that is complete torture and having to sit through a 'chick-flick'.

'The Holiday' appeals because of two different reasons. Firstly we have the main story and its characters. The appeal of getting away from everything that is wrong in a relationship or your life is something most people have contemplated at one time or another. This makes it easy to connect with both Iris and Amanda, whatever your sex. Both of them are leaving for different reasons but it is love that have driven away and made them want to try and forget about everything that has happened. It is their journey of rediscovery of life and what it has to offer that draws you in and makes you instantly drawn to these characters.

The second appealing factor about the film is the cast that Nancy Meyers has gathered together. Both Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet make Amanda and Iris extremely likeable, making it easy for the audience to want them to be happy. Cameron Diaz, as Hollywood trailer creator Amanda, she is a woman that has forsaken everything for her work, including her relationship with Ethan, played by the always-excellent Edward Burns. Iris has been obsessed with her college Jasper, played by Rufus Swell, for years but he has been stringing her along for years. Just as she thinks he is about to commit himself to her, Jasper announces his engagement. This is a role that shows the English rose Kate Winslet has a real talent for comedy and is someone you cannot help but adore. The girls are amply supported by Jack Black and Jude Law. Jack Black provides another restrained performance, compared to his previous outings in 'Nacho Libre' and 'Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny' but injects a lot of comedy into his role as movie composer Miles. Jude Law moves away from his usual dramatic roles to produce a very likeable performance as Iris's brother and Amanda's romantic interest, Graham.

'The Holiday' is a well-written and well-acted romantic comedy that will appeal to everyone. While it might portray both England and Los Angeles in stereotypical, overly picturesque Hollywood fashion but it doesn't go far enough to put you off. This is the ideal date movie and one that will become a firm favourite in the genre.