A leisurely feelgood rom-com.
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: 12A [See Full Rating] for sexual content and some strong language
Runtime: 2 hrs 18 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:08-12-2006
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
Reviews for The Holiday
The Holiday's redeeming feature (and it's a considerable one) is the 91-year-old Eli Wallach's astute and endearing performance.
There is bound to be a large appreciative audience for this chick flick. But it might not be you.
No amount of ironic gift wrapping can conceal the triteness within, in this double-plotted festive chick flick that is too long by half, and too cloyingly sweet to be healthy.
Watchable, but overly long and ultimately disappointing romcom, despite spirited performances and the occasional sparkly moment.
Exists in that fantasy Nancy Meyers universe in which a bunch of attractive, wealthy people talk cutely and smartly to each other and find love in all the right places
This romantic comedy ends up feeling soggy, syrupy and so bloating it'll put you to sleep before the pudding's done.
There is so much to not like about The Holiday. Yet this humorous romantic fantasy is really, really easy to enjoy.
There’s good news for Jude Law fans. With The Holiday, the actor has taken a sad career song and started to make it better.
What The Holiday has going for it is that it's funny when it wants to be, heartwarming when it needs to be and impeccably acted throughout.
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.
Like a magic trick in reverse, The Holiday reveals the mechanics of the formula while trying to keep up the illusion.
It is a fizzy champagne cocktail that provides a pleasant buzz, many smiles, and Jude Law with the role of his career.
It can also be undeniably charming, so you may as well just check your cynicism at the door and surrender.
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.
This melding of comedic minds is one of the better holiday gifts we've received, cinematically speaking.
The characters pace and putter around in the story like animals building their nests, and by the time they finally settle down with their mates, we have a grudging affection for them.
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