Unashamedly old-fashioned romantic comedy

Rating: 7/10 (21 February 2007)

The Holday is the perfect cure for your winter blues.
A lively fun film that does precisely what it says on the packet - it brings out the Christmas romantic in all of us. My wife and I cried and laughed and knew it would all work out - of course.
Grown-up enough to make you feel awake, and romantic enough to make you cry, laugh, and sigh, it is about nice people who have nice lives even when they are all finding it hard to find love. We particularly liked Eli Wallach - simply wonderful.
If you imagine curling up with a glass of wine, a blazing fire, and a film; then the film you want to complete that picture is The Holiday. Pure Hollywood - and pure as the driven snow. England and Los Angeles never looked so perfect, and yet inside the package there are enough surprises and little touches that it never becomes too saccharine.
The Christmas spirit suits well - and it is neatly and expertly directed by Nancy Myers. Yes, it wears its heart on its sleeve all the time, but it didn't make us cringe.
Too perfect? Of course it is, and proud of it - if you are in the mood for a feel-good romance, with enough heartache to make it bitter-sweet followed by the clean resolution then this is your slice of movie magic.
For out and out holiday cheer The Holiday is a winning and heady mix.