On 2010-07-26 D. Mikels, Skunk Holler wrote: Normally I run (screaming) from chick flicks (not to mention romcoms), but when a film appears featuring the charismatic talent (not to mention physically stunning) of Kate Winslet, it also commands my undivided attention. So I sat through THE HOLIDAY and grimaced and twitched; when it was over I wanted to have a good cry and bake a cake and call my grandmother. Actually I wanted to do none of the above, but I did feel some considerable estrogen exposure.
THE HOLIDAY features two professional women unlucky in love who swap homes for Christmas to forget their troubles. Thus Winslet travels to posh LA, while her counterpart (Cameron Diaz) arrives at Winslet´s picturesque cottage in England. And--of course--both ladies encounter romantic interests in the form of Winslet´s brother (Jude Law), who captivates Diaz, and the smirking Jack Black, who wows Winslet (note the succession of ´w´s). It´s all contrived, predictable, and marginally humorous (but please: Jack Black as a romantic interest is a howler), with a closing scene in London on New Year´s Eve so syrupy and gooey I had to go out on the driveway and gargle gravel just to get the bubblegum taste out of my mouth. Winslet demonstrates some chops, while Diaz and Law seem to phone their performances in, with the near-centenarian Eli Wallach appearing in a most gracious role. All in all THE HOLIDAY nominally entertains, as long as the viewer doesn´t feel compelled to watch in high heels.
D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning. And summed up by saying Swimming the Sea of Estrogen. Currently The Holiday has an overall rating of 8 over 10.
The Holiday can also be found in the following searches:
Dean Cundey claimed Two women swap houses for the holidays.
Item that are similar to The Holiday can be found at: