"Be the leading lady of your own life, for God's sake!"

Rating: 7/10 (15 January 2012)

Amanda Woods is an LA woman in the movie business with a big mansion and everything going for her until she recently discovered that her boyfriend had been cheating on her behind her back. Across the pond we meet an English journalist Iris Simpkins- a woman who feels she just can't get away from a particular man that enjoys having affairs with her on and off. Recently he becomes engaged to another woman, crushing Iris's heart when he still constantly messes with her after the announcement. Out of heartbreak the two woman meet through a vacation home exchange website and agree to switch places for a few weeks, having a bit of culture shock as Amanda had never experienced the simple life and Iris the riches. Expecting to be on vacation in solitude Amanda meets a Iris's brother and an affair begins, sprouting something bigger than they expected. Iris soon meets a movie composer and a veteran from the golden age of cinema. She befriends the old man and invites the composer with her during each visit as their relationship grows into a deep friendship. As both women's heartbreak starts to mend, the dread of going back starts to sink in as new love heals the injuries of heartbreak's past, changing their lives forever...
For a chick flick I must say, despite several clichés in the genre, it is certainly a set of heartwarming stories for the Christmas season. If you ever had the chance to view the trailer and the film both, you'll see that both are completely different. The Holiday will throw your emotions off guard in several scenes. Cameron Diaz's portrayal of Amanda is a double-edge sword of her usual mediocre, whiny, hollow characters throughout her career. Yes, she is quite annoying and typical in this film but actually works for her character when it comes to her development. Despite my disliking for her character I found her scene where she makes a surprise visit to Jude Law's character's home, discovering that he's more than just some random guy to have sex with- but a single father of two daughters with many other insecurities. It's a great scene of vulnerability for the characters on this part of the story and my personal favorite of the film. Kate Winslet's role as Iris is far more interesting though. As damaged goods from an on-and-off affair with a man, it's a far more vulnerable though clichéd performance and yet much more relatable to the target audience. A sweet young girl in a strange town, managing to come across an old man clearly in need. She is unable to resist and helps him out, discovering at his home that he spent the majority of his life as a writing in the golden age of the movie business. She also befriends a music composer of movie soundtracks that joins her in visits with the old man. This part of the story is honestly more interesting and heartfelt. It's not quite romance just yet. It's more of a portrayal of a budding relationship. Jack Black plays the love-interest for Iris. Not the greatest looking guy in the movie but he certainly has a lot of charm (and somehow able to hold some form of class for Jack Black standards, though there is a signature "Scrubaly-doodaly-doo" scene present, though surprisingly fitting). Overall the film makes a pleasant surprise of a chick flick that clearly has it's flaws here and there but the film itself knows it as well. It's a simple, entertaining, heartwarming movie that's best watched with a loved one (significant other, mother, grandmother). Come for the unexpected warmth, stay for the tear-jerking moments, leave for the harsh whine of Diaz. Something that could've been a really great modern classic but not quite there yet.