Calling All Hopeless Romantics

The Holiday is a romantic comedy opening in movie theatres just in time for the holidays. In this capricious film Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz are experiencing failed love relationships. Distraught, impulsive and in need of a major change of scenery, these two strangers swap homes.

Iris (Kate Winslet) is a newspaper writer from jolly old England. She hits gold as she spends her Christmas holiday in the sunny California mansion of an ultra beautiful, successful career woman in the movie industry. Amanda (Cameron Diaz) secludes herself to the confines of a romantic little cottage in the snowy countryside with an irresistible pooch, a lit fireplace and one unexpected handsome visitor.

All romantic comedies need leading men and Jude Law as Iris’ brother, Graham, is a sure bet. Perhaps most engaging about this film is Jack Black playing the man who wins Iris’ heart. As Miles, he gives a charming credible performance as a clean cut, talented and newly available bachelor.

Kate Winslet outshines all the other actors as she impeccably emotes the feelings of a helpless, hapless sap-turned-smart girl with gumption. Jude Law—well, enough said. Easy on the eyes and who cares what he says as long as it’s in English and the camera remains on his dreamy eyes, his pouting lips and his gorgeous physique.

Diaz, on the other hand, wisps through this movie as a wealthy, fickle woman who has any worldly amenity available to her except for love.

If you can get past all of the impossibilities of this movie ever being real, you will enjoy this film. How many people can just leave their jobs on a moment’s notice and afford a transatlantic flight during the busiest holiday of the year? And manage to stay in a beautifully decorated picture perfect setting? And meet a soul mate all in the course of two weeks?

Bah Humbug, don’t believe it. But Ebenezer Scrooge did manage to have a change of heart. What the heck…go see it. After all it is THE HOLIDAY.