The Holiday

     In this romantic comedy, directed and written by Nancy Meyers, two young women (Amanda & Iris) decide to switch homes for the holidays. Each woman is suffering from a recent relationship gone south and are looking for a temporary respite from their daily lives. Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet) make the switch and begin their journey in the other’s world.

     Amanda tries to decide if fate has brought her together with Iris’ brother, Graham (Jude Law), or if it was just a chance meeting with another playboy who continues to receive calls from other women named Sophia and Olivia. The relationship is somewhat strange yet simply predictable. On the flip side, Iris wonders into L.A. and begins a friendship with Miles (Jack Black). Their relationship seems awkward and somewhat dysfunctional from the beginning. They haphazardly bounce through the motions of being friends and then finally “something” more. Oh yes, yet again, it was painfully obvious that it was a match made for a Hollywood film.

     Overall, I found the movie to be a little too predictable and cutesy. There was no mystery to what was going to happen next. I felt The Holiday tended to drag on a bit as some scenes could have been shortened or even deleted. The only redeeming quality about this film is that Jude Law seemed to play his part very well. In addition, when Amanda decides to visit Graham’s house unannounced the movie takes a uniquely pleasant twist. This was about the only time I felt like the characters actually meshed together and a great story was ready to unfold. Unfortunately, Meyers left that particular gift wrapped during this Holiday excursion.

     I believe I would give this about 2 ½ stars (out of 5). The story line was weak and the plot ever so guessable. The underlying message here could have been greatly developed; however, it was covered up with so-so acting and very little “real” comedy. I only laughed two times during this movie…once when the gardener shook his head no when Amanda ask her boyfriend if he cheated on her and the other time when a child said that Amanda looked like her Barbie doll. The film needed a lot more substance and a little less of everything else.

That’s how Matt sees it!