The Holiday

Rating: 7/10 (4 January 2007)

A story that would probably never actually happen unless you lived a fairytale life, idealistic locations perfectly capturing the little country house in England and the mansion in L.A. complete with swimming pool, and an ending you could predict within the first twenty minutes...usually I would not have chosen to see this, however there are times when you want to watch something that is heart warming, makes you smile, shows Christmas as you imagine it to be (the miserable rain that now characterizes England replaced with the perfect crisp winter's day complete with snow), is too idyllic to be true, romantic, funny and easy to watch. This is exactly what "The Holiday" offers and is very successful in delivering.
The highlights for me of this film were being surprised by Jack Black playing a character completely unlike what I expected, when your preconceptions of him come from seeing Tenacious D and films like School of Rock and Shallow Hal to see him playing quite a sweet, calm yet funny character made a change, and you fell in love with his character almost as much as Jude Law's.
There's no need to go into details on this film as it is exactly what you expect. Four well known actors, a cheesy, clichéd story a predictable, unoriginal ending. If you're not into chick flicks then this probably isn't for you. However sometimes films like "The Holiday" are exactly what you want to watch, one of those films that makes you warm inside and go away smiling, perfect.