Very underrated Christmas romance with a comedic flair and great music

Rating: 8/10 (28 November 2008)

I can't understand some of the negative reviews except they had to have been written by guys, who have no appreciation for this type of movie. I am not big fan of Cameron Diaz, but her character was quite likable and Kate Winslet is fabulous at everything. In the movie, these two ladies get hurt by the men they love, and decide to "swap" houses in December-Amanda (Cameron Diaz) goes to England to live in Iris's house and meets up with her brother, played by Jude Law. Iris (played by the great Kate Winslet) goes to L.A., where she meets Miles (Jack Black) and befriends the wise retired Hollywood guru Eli Wallach next door. The score by Hans Zimmer is wonderful, and the script was definitely written by a woman who has been hurt in the past, Nancy Meyers. I think this is her best work, wasn't crazy about other films she'd written. The beginning of this film is the best,, Kate Winslet narrates about love,, being in love, and being "unloved", and it is a great beginning. Yes the movie is a little saccharin and sticky sweet at times, but you can't help but feel some of the pain these women have felt. Only big flaw was the casting of Jack Black- I like him as an actor in general but he kind of played the fat kid and I didn't see the chemistry between him and Kate Winslet at all. Movie was a little long, but was good enough so that I've bought it on DVD and watched it a couple times since then. Great Christmas movie and some classic Christmas songs are played in it, except these are NOT on the soundtrack-still a great soundtrack though,, I love Hans Zimmer's scores used throughout the movie, "Cry" and "Maestro."