sclynes_movie

//The Holiday//
The romantic comedy and drama, //The Holiday// was released December of 2006. [|Cameron Diaz], [|Kate Winslet], [|Jude Law], and [|Jack Black] star and [|Nancy Meyers] directs. It is rated PG-13 and is 138 minutes long. The film has a unique storyline and it is lighthearted and comical. It is a movie that makes the viewer feel good and happy.

Amanda Woods (Diaz) is a successful movie trailer producer, who lives in a gorgeous house in LA. She’s just broken up with her boyfriend and needs some change in her life. Iris Simpkins (Winslet) is a journalist who is madly in love with Mr. Jasper Bloom, who is about to get married to a different colleague. And she is supposed to cover the wedding story. She is depressed, living in her cozy cottage in London. By fate, the two meet online and decide to switch lives for the Christmas break, with the hope that somehow they can escape their troubles in love. Iris finds a friend, a teacher, and a genius in Arthur Abbot ([|Eli Wallach]) and befriends Miles (Black). Graham, Iris’s brother, (Law) finds Amanda in her most desperate state. Both Iris and Amanda end up finding mentors and friends, and both learn valuable lessons and ultimately find true love.

The storyline is entertaining and appealing, with some surprises and secrets revealed to keep the viewer alert. The characters are developed in depth, especially Graham, Amanda, and Iris, and the viewer gets a good understanding of their personalities, which adds to the richness of the movie. Arthur Abbot (Wallach) further characterizes Iris when he says, “Iris, in the movies, we have leading ladies, and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason, you're behaving like the best friend.” The ending is perhaps not as satisfying as I expected, but still lets the viewer leave the theater happy.

The actors were absolutely amazing. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet portray their desperate but still hopeful characters very well. Diaz is adorable, and Winslet is completely honest, as her character demands. Jack Black is funny and entertaining and plays his kind, sweet and caring character very well. Eli Wallach adds additional entertainment with his intelligence and humor. Jude Law plays the attractive charming man and his sweet side comes out when his secret is revealed.

For DVD extras, you’re really not getting much. There is an audio commentary with Nancy Meyers and a behind the scenes clip so don’t buy this DVD for the extras because you are really not getting much more than the movie.

This movie is entertaining and fun. It is a romantic comedy that leaves a smile on the viewer’s face. It is light-hearted and presents an optimistic view of life. I would highly recommend it as a light film or one to pick up your spirits. It is not a very deep film, or a film that educates or truly intrigues. But with excellent acting, good directing, cute storyline, and a few twists throughout, this romantic comedy fails to be completely predictable and boring. It is very enjoyable and I would rate it a 3.5.

Trailer and Clips
[|'The Holiday' Trailer No. 2]


 * **Clips:** ||
 * || [|"The Lingering Kiss"] -- Miles (Jack Black) awkwardly says goodnight to Iris (Kate Winslet). ||
 * || [|"The Leading Lady"] -- Arthur (Eli Wallach) asks Iris (Kate Winslet) why she came to America. ||
 * || [|"Try That Again"] -- Amanda (Cameron Diaz) tries explaining to Graham (Jude Law) why she is in England. ||
 * || [|"Trick Question"] -- Amanda (Cameron Diaz) unexpectantly propositions Graham (Jude Law). ||
 * || [|"Oh Brother"] -- Graham (Jude Law) stops by not knowing that Amanda (Cameron Diaz) is staying at the house. ||
 * || [|"House Swapping"] -- Iris (Kate Winslet) gets her first look around the house where she will be staying. ||

Memorable Quotes
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457939/quotes