The Holiday Review
by Tim Voon (winklebeck AT hotmail DOT com)December 25th, 2006
The Holiday (2006)
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 2006 Timothy Voon
3.5 out of 5 stars
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Edward Burns, Rufus Sewell
When a movie is called 'The Holiday' one expects to see an enjoyable journey of sorts considering it is the season for it. 'The Holiday' isn't so much a road trip but more a holiday romance for those with an appetite for it. As they say, Christmas can be the happiest or saddest time of the year. This movie begins with heartbreak and results in two women swapping houses on opposite sides of the world (England and USA).This movie is to some extent reminiscent of the novel 'Tara Road' by Maeve Binchey, in so far as the two female characters are in need of a fresh start in order to rediscover their souls.
Cameron Diaz plays 'Amanda', a successful movie trailer producer who has it all. She has the looks, the boyfriend, the house and car to go with her fast and wealthy lifestyle in California. However, she is emotionally constipated and after her boyfriend (Edward Burns) cheats on her, she is unable to shed a tear and has not been able to cry since she was a child. Diaz's role is suited to her in so much that she is blonde and ditzy, which unfortunately sums up most of her movie roles in an otherwise uneventful career. Cameron does what she does best, smile, giggle, pout and look sexy. A formula which has paved her way to success and there is no reason to stray to far from this, unless she is thinking of an Academy Award nomination before she retires.
Kate Winslet plays 'Iris'. She is an editor for a London paper and has fallen in love with a co-worker (Rufus Sewel), but her love is unrequited. She finds it hard to stop loving him despite the fact that he has used her shamelessly and he is now engaged to another woman. Kate is lovely as Iris. I would describe her performance as painfully awkward, down to earth and unfortunately poignant. How many of us have been in this situation, where the object of our affection is someone that does not love us the same way? Iris is a character that many people could relate to, as her dilemma is not uncommon.
This brings us to the male love interests that these women meet on their holiday. Jude Law is 'Graham'. He is wonderfully charming, overly amiable and impossibly perfect. Is this a criticism? Yes and no. No, in that Jude Law carries this performance to perfection, but yes, in that I think his character is a trite unbelievable. Lets see, he's a widower, holds down a busy job as a publishing editor, has immaculate tastes with Christmas decorations, is a great father, is great with the ladies and in bed, his home is spotlessly clean and he weeps with deep emotion. The interesting thing about his relationship with Amanda is that she is more the man (less sensitive) and he is more the woman (more sensitive). This is a nice change from the usual churn of love stories out today.
Jack Black is surprisingly interesting as 'Miles', who becomes good friends with Iris until he realizes that she is the gal for him. I can understand why women would be interested in an ordinary, funny, dependable, nice guy. He has to go through his own personal heartbreak with love before he comes to a realization that Iris is ideal for him.
Overall, this is an enjoyable, well written Christmas romance that will satisfy the lonely hearts as well as the eternal romantics.
Timothy Voon
Email - [email protected]
Web - 'Movies in Melbourne'
http://home.iprimus.com.au/winklebeck/index.htm
Archives - http://us.imdb.com/ReviewsBy?Tim+Voon
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
