Bridget Jones's Diary meets L.A. Story in this feel-good romantic chuckler doused with a healthy layer of seasonal schmaltz.
The Holiday (2006)
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Reviews Counted:130
Fresh:60
Rotten:70
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: The Holiday, while sweet and somewhat touching, lacks any surprises and eventually overstays its welcome.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for sexual content and some strong language
Runtime: 2 hrs 18 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Dec 8, 2006 Wide
Box Office: $63,224,849
Synopsis: Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz), the owner of a prospering advertising firm that creates movie trailers, lives in Southern California. Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) writes the popular wedding column for... Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz), the owner of a prospering advertising firm that creates movie trailers, lives in Southern California. Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) writes the popular wedding column for London's Daily Telegraph and resides in a charming cottage in the English countryside. Though Iris and Amanda live 6,000 miles apart, they are in exactly the same place: Just before Christmas, Iris and Amanda decide to take a needed break from the men in their lives (played by Edward Burns and Rufus Sewell) — and neither is much in the mood for a nostalgic chorus of "Auld Lang Syne." Amanda, wanting to get out of town for the holidays, stumbles onto an internet site that specializes in home exchanges, and finds Iris' English cottage to be the perfect antidote to her troubles. On impulse, Amanda and Iris agree to crisscross continents and move into each other's homes for two weeks. Iris lands in Los Angeles on a spectacularly clear day warmed by the gusts of the seasonal Santa Ana winds. Not long after she arrives at Amanda's Brentwood home, she is befriended by Arthur (Eli Wallach), a noted screenwriter from Hollywood's Golden Era, and Miles (Jack Black), a film composer who works with Amanda's ex-boyfriend. In England, where it is anything but balmy, Amanda is just settling into the cozy solitude of the snow-covered Rose Hill Cottage, when Iris' handsome brother Graham (Jude Law) comes knocking at the cottage door. In an unexpected turn of events, both women discover that the best trips are the ones where you leave your baggage behind. Columbia Pictures and Universal Pictures Present in association with Relativity Media, A Waverly Films Production, The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Edward Burns and Rufus Sewell. The film is written and directed by Nancy Meyers. The producers are Nancy Meyers and Bruce A. Block and the executive producer is Suzanne Farwell. The director of photography is Dean Cundey ASC. The production designer is Jon Hutman. The film is edited by Joe Hutshing, A.C.E. The costume designer is Marlene Stewart. The music is by Hans Zimmer. The Holiday has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for Sexual Content and Some Strong Language. The Holiday will be released by Columbia Pictures on December 8, 2006. -- © Columbia Pictures [More]
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Rufus Sewell, Edward Burns, Shannyn Sossamon, John Krasinski
Director: Nancy Meyers
Director: Nancy Meyers
Screenwriter: Nancy Meyers
Producer: Nancy Meyers, Bruce A. Block
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
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Reviews for The Holiday
every time the film threatens to build up a head of genuine charm, it bogs down in treacley melodrama and/or maudlin sentiment
'The Holiday' is a fun, warm, and lighthearted romantic comedy that's easy to settle into.
Romantic comedies have been a bit of a dying breed in recent years. Perhaps that's why it's so delightful to see The Holiday tucked amidst all the war and gore at the cineplex.
By the way, Iris and Amanda's online encounter marks the first time in two years that two people spoke online about visiting the other's home and "Dateline NBC's" Chris Hanson wasn't involved.
Might be considered a decent date movie... but only if guys were allowed to leave their testicles at home.
No formulaic romantic comedy needs to be over 100 minutes, let alone over 130.
At one point Amanda remarks, 'In the world of love, cheating is not acceptable.' Also no longer acceptable: romantic comedies set in 'the world of love.'
If Nancy Meyers were to have sex with James L. Brooks, she still wouldn't have enough of him in her to craft worthwhile material.
After such a horrible run of dreadful, I-want-to-poke-my-eyes-out-to-stop-the-pain holiday movies (Deck The Halls and The Santa Clause 3), The Holiday practically looks like the Citizen Kane of Christmas tales.
After sitting through 138 minutes viewers may feel they've earned a real holiday.
It really is stunning how at odds the two halves of the movie are. Almost everything on the Diaz side... is weird or uncomfortable or icky or just plain nonsensical, and almost everything on the Winslet side... is smart and cozy and affectionate and just
largely entertains, but has no business being two hours and 15 minutes long
It's hard to say whether the movie is being meta in its movie references or just unimaginative and derivative. Probably a little bit of both.
Meyers' movies would be far less offensive if they were simply shiny, shallow entertainments. But they always read like pronouncements, monitor readings of how 'real' women think and feel.
If you're willing to embrace a bit of corniness for the sake of some incisive humor, a few poignant moments and enjoyable scenarios, make time for The Holiday.
Like a magic trick in reverse, The Holiday reveals the mechanics of the formula while trying to keep up the illusion.
If you like your holiday fare served up sweet (and with few surprises), then chow down on this carb-loaded chick flick.
Even though almost everything about it feels forced and its casting chemistry hardly sizzles, its heart is in the right place, it has its quota of funny and touching moments, and it's ultimately fairly enjoyable.
The Holiday is a tale of two women, two houses, two love interests -- Jude Law pairs with Cameron Diaz, Jack Black gets lucky with Kate Winslet -- but it's also about movie love.
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