The Holiday - Review

Well here goes, my first movie review. Jodie and I went to see this movie on Sunday after church. We went to the new cinema in town, it is pretty good, although not anything better than Hoyts. My favourite cinema in Canberra is Hoyts, Woden, and I don't think that has changed. The one thing I am interested in about Dendy (the new one we went to) is that it has a premium lounge, which would be fun to go to sometimes. But this is supposed to be a movie review not a cinema review so...


The Holiday
Director: Nancy Meyers
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black
Genre: Romance/Comedy

This was clearly aimed for a Christmas release as the story is set over the Christmas/New Year Period. Two women, Amanda is from the USA and Iris (Winslet) from England both run against major trouble in their love lives just before christmas. Determined to put some distance between themselves and their problems they agree to a house swap over the holidays. Neither of them are prepared for their change of situation, especially when complicated by new men that also have issues that make things, well, complicated.

I must admit I love the Rom-com genre, it is fun, easy to watch, you don't have to think too much and the characters are usually very likeable. This movie was no exception, the actors were great, I wanted them all to end up happy, which of course they did, because seriously how disappointed would you be if they didn't? I felt most for Iris, Kate Winslets charactor I think. I loved her storyline too, especially her interactions with Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), her elderly neighbour in LA, it was very sweet, and he was wonderful. I particularly liked the bit when he was telling Iris that she was clearly a "leading lady" but she acted like she was the "best friend" when they were talking about old hollywood movies, I really identify with that, never expecting the big stuff to happen to you. Cameron Diaz and Jude Law had good chemistry, the two "couples" were quite different from each other, with Winslet and Black much sweeter and well I have to say the best word I can think of is chaste. Much more sexual tension between Diaz and Law's characters. If for nothing else this movie is worth seeing for the characters, which I think is as it should be. The locations are nice, but they take a back seat as the plot is really driven by the people, which is fitting. Lastly, I loved the dancing, around the house when you are alone, everyone should do that, I know I do. I would recommend this movie if you like: Love Actually, and Bridget Jones Diary

My Rating: ***