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Movies / On DVD / The Holiday
The Holiday

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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

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Reviews for The Holiday

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41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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There's a minute glimmer of joy to be had from this frosty piece of cake, but you have to work awfully hard to find it.

Full Review Source: OhmyNews.com | comment Comment
12/08/06
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
OhmyNews.com

There's nothing authentic or personal about The Holiday -- it's as chilling as heart-warmers get.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
12/08/06
Scott Tobias
Scott Tobias
AV Club

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.

Full Review Source: Slate | comment Comment
12/08/06
Dana Stevens
Dana Stevens
Slate

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.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
12/08/06
Brett Buckalew
Brett Buckalew
FilmStew.com

...The story goes on at untoward length.

Full Review Source: Wall Street Journal | comment 1 Comment
12/08/06
Joe Morgenstern
Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal

...The surprises would be surprises only if this is, like, your fourth movie ever.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment 2 Comments
12/08/06
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Admittedly, this is a chick-flick. Guys may groan but gals are gonna love it. Like 'Love, Actually,' it's the Christmas comedy you've been waiting for.

Full Review Source: www.susangranger.com | comment Comment
12/08/06
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

While Meyers overwrites and has a tendency to dwell on her stars goofing around, her best material makes the less-successful stretches worth sitting through.

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
12/08/06
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

Watching The Holiday is a little like ordering a sticky cinnamon bun: You know the gooey, warm sweetness will taste good, but you'll feel guilty eating it.

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
12/08/06
Kit Bowen
Kit Bowen
Hollywood.com

It's actually one of the most educational chick flicks of the decade...

Full Review Source: Greenwich Village Gazette | comment Comment
12/08/06
Eric Lurio
Eric Lurio
Greenwich Village Gazette

Like her near namesake, Meyers has quite a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
12/08/06
Scott Foundas
Scott Foundas
Village Voice

Admitting that it's formulaic doesn't make it any less so, but it's enjoyable in a mushy, easily digested sort of way.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/08/06
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

...It's the women who come out the worst in Meyers's sexist worldview, where men are hopeless and women are helpless.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment 1 Comment
12/08/06
Peter Howell
Peter Howell
Toronto Star

Winslet, who's never done a Hollywood romantic comedy before, turns out to be a natural, blushing prettily and smiling so broadly the camera seems ready to embrace her.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
12/08/06
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

The Holiday suffers from a dreary predictability.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment 1 Comment
12/08/06
Ruthe Stein
Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle
N/R

Winslet, Black, Law and to some extent the others are often swell. But the script limits are still there, knots in the weave, and you need to be a goner for manipulation not to notice.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
12/08/06
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Winslet gets time to build a lovable, kind character. In the process, the English actress known for serious roles shows she can handle just about any part -- even one in a formulaic American romantic comedy -- with exceptional grace.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
12/08/06
Carla Meyer
Carla Meyer
Sacramento Bee

It's a pleasant-enough premise for a romantic comedy, created by an experienced veteran (director Nancy Meyers), and is boosted by entertaining performances.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
12/08/06
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

The sheer volume of intense emotional content has a cumulative effect that will easily win over anyone whose heart and mind are open to it.

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
12/08/06
Jim Hemphill
Jim Hemphill
Reel.com

Winslet brings a sweet enthusiasm to Iris' emotional blooming that makes you wish Diaz... had taken a holiday.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
12/08/06
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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