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The Holiday (2006)

Director: Nancy Meyers

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2 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

‘If you liked “Love Actually”, you’ll love this!’ is the sort of quote that could easily adorn the poster of ‘The Holiday’, but of course that may not endear it to everyone. A leisurely feelgood rom-com from the director of ‘What Women Want’, it has a big-name ensemble cast and ticks all the transatlantic boxes. An American woman (Cameron Diaz) and a Brit (Kate Winslet) swap houses for Christmas, both smarting from break-ups. While one gets Jude Law knocking on the door of a quaint Surrey cottage, the other finds Jack Black buzzing at the Hollywood mansion gates.

The film itself is only gently amusing, often lacking comic timing and relying on Diaz’s trademark high-heeled pratfalls and Winslet’s lovelorn ‘Bridget Jones’-style routine too heavily. Some charming moments come courtesy of the friendship between Iris (Winslet) and an ageing LA screenwriter (Eli Wallach) – although this also gives rise to pointed movie references harking after a bygone era the film clearly wishes it belongs to. Modern cynicism has no place here: the script even makes a pre-emptive strike against criticisms when a happier Iris announces that she’s decided to embrace ‘corny’. The romances, however, are handled with more precision and realism, and Law’s performance is a surprising stand-out (in his first romantic comedy). The long running time pays off, allowing female audiences to vicariously date Law’s character – although whether that will blind all of them to the film’s laboured set-up is another question. The ‘Love Actually’ comparison should work as a useful barometer here.

Author: Anna Smith 2006-12-05 11:27:24

Time Out London Issue 1894: December 6-13 2006

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User reviews of this film

  • Cleo'patra said...
    Posted on Nov 12 2009 17:32 I loved this movie! Jude Law exudes such charm and beau precision, it's hard to not fall in love with his character's trite sweetness. And those two little girls? Adorable! I could also totally relate to Kate Winslet's character's dilemma, being in love with an asshole. Loved this film!
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  • ben said...
    Posted on Nov 30 2007 05:07 wasteof time
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The Holiday

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Cast & crew

Director: Nancy Meyers

Producer: Nancy Meyers, Bruce A Block

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law, Eli Wallach, Edward Burns, Rufus Sewell full cast

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance

Duration: 130 mins

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