Dual Sides Means One Loses

Rating: 8/10 (1 May 2010)

From the beginning, this movie had me -- Kate Winslet is adorable as Iris -- the love-forlorn, hopeless romantic! Her side of the movie wins hands down! For many reasons -- the fabulous Eli Wallach, who plays her new California neighbor and Jack Black, who shines as her new love interest.
I usually would side with any part of a movie that has Jude Law, but the sleazy relationship start-up with Cameron Diaz is out of character (no pun intended) for both of them! Diaz' character Amanda is about as over-the-top, over-acted and unbelievable as they come. I've seen this movie dozens of times and still can't believe somebody exists on this planet that is such a needy, dumb ass as Amanda, who can be as successful as the writers have created her to be. What were these writers thinking? Fairy tales? Pathetic!
Back to the good part of the movie -- Ms. Winslet is a joy to watch -- she brings realism to a character that is sorrowfully tangled in the worst of relationships -- unrequited love! Her character is a brilliant writer who makes every effort to move forward while trying to forget the selfish man that has stolen the last three years of her life, played brilliantly by the handsome Rufus Sewell.
The connection between the two stories, via house-swapping is believable, but the story as a whole is lopsided. The story of Iris is rather fulfilling, but the story of Amanda has so many holes -- the only blessing is the reference to the "Three Musketeers", which is thin at best, but sweet.
Great holiday, romantic movie for people to watch... but I'm not sure it will stand the test of time in comparison to The Bishop's Wife! I will continue to watch The Holiday though -- no matter what the season! I loved it! :D