The Holiday (2006)
Director: Nancy Meyers
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
Time Out London Issue 1894: December 6-13 2006
User reviews of this film
-
- kel said...
- Posted on Mar 06 2009 14:44 Warm, Fuzzy Christmas Film. Great cast, except Jack Black a little miscast for this type of role!! still great!!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- jen said...
- Posted on Dec 20 2007 12:43 First class feel good film for Christmas. Just the job for a cosy night in on the couch!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Michaela said...
- Posted on Dec 18 2007 15:49 This film is a fantastic chic flick. Having recorded it from Sky only yesterday I am now about to watch it for the 5th time. It's up there with Serendipity, definately recommend for the men to buy for their woman at Christmas..... Happy watching
- Report as inappropriate
-
- Paul said...
- Posted on Jul 22 2007 17:23 Law delivers a line "I'm a man who sews, has a cow in the garden and reads cookery books in bed" - say no more.
- Report as inappropriate
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
Rated: 12A
Duration: 130 mins
UK Release: Dec 8 2006
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Review a Coens' movie and win!
A signed copy of the script for 'A Serious Man' is up for grabs, and we want you to look to your inner film reviewer to win it
Ang Lee talks 'Taking Woodstock'
Ang Lee talks to Tom Huddleston about his tale of the men behind history’s greatest music festival
Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies
Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe
Hippies who work for The Man
To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within
Sheffield Doc/Fest round-up
Sheffield’s annual Doc/Fest is Britain’s largest documentary festival. Edward Lawrenson learnt a few new things by taking the train north.
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Grant Heslov: interview
Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations












What do you think?
Post your review now