- 3.5 Lions out of 5
- I recommend this film for ages 18 and up (16 and up if watching with a parent)
- I believe men and women will equally like this film
Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet star as two workaholic women who’ve won in their professions but lost at love. They trade houses—and continents—during the Christmas holidays to examine their lives and hope for healing.
When my wife and I cued up the DVD of “The Holiday,” I was about as excited as someone being patted down at airport security. However, Nancy Meyers (“Father of the Bride”, “What Women Want”) wove a story that moved me by the depth of love portrayed on the screen.
Iris (Winslet) learns to say “no” to a man that has used her like a car polish cloth. Her strengths, twisted for Jasper, are released to be an encouraging force in the lives of two very different Hollywood men. Through her belief in them, both find steel in their veins.
Amanda (Diaz) learns to say “yes” to feeling alive. Unfortunately, Meyers uses an extramarital sexual relationship to prove the point. Nevertheless, the emotions are authentic, the tears are hot, and the smiles start in the soul.
“The Holiday” is one of the great modern romantic comedies with plot intricacies instead of formulas.
Pay Attention
Eli Wallach plays Arthur Abbott, an octogenarian screenwriter who opens up his heart to Iris and the Hollywood community. Myers treats his story with perfect brushstrokes of humor, sadness, and hope. Abbott’s chivalry and courage steal the movie. Look for his early appearances before he enters the story.
Christmas
From November 15 – January 2, thousands of Americans deal with difficult relationships. Family members pick up emotional weapons dropped a year ago. Struggles between adult children and parents are renewed. Grief is more acute during the holidays as you look around the table and notice who is not there.
“The Holiday” takes a tiny sliver of this reality and puts it on the screen. We point, laugh, cry, nudge another with an elbow as we see ourselves and our own ghosts of Christmas past and present.
Nancy Meyers’ story and direction emit hope from the screen. If we will be so wise as to capture it.
Widescreen Wisdom
Iris and Amanda have defining vacations because they interact with real people living where they visit. Too often, our vacations are as plastic as the cards used to pay for them. Make a point of talking with another family in the lobby of your hotel, having dinner in the home of that long lost family friend, or engaging those in line with you. The people you meet and the stories they share will generate richer memories and more fun on your travels.
Quotable
Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend.
You’re so right. You’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god’s sake! Arthur, I’ve been going to a therapist for three years, and she’s never explained things to me that well. That was brilliant. Brutal, but brilliant.
Trivia
“The Holiday” features both Rufus Sewell and Shannyn Sossamon who appeared together in “A Knight’s Tale”.
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