Movie review: The Holiday
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Gehring, I saw the film, "The Holiday." When I watched the trailers I thought it would be another disappointing studio picture. However, Dr. Gehring never lets me down so I decided to give the movie a try.
Honestly? I loved it.
As far as film goes, I consider my main area of study/interest to be screwball and romantic comedies. This being said, nothing offends me more than one that's poorly written (or possibly it was just skewered by the producer...hmmm I've heard of this happening). Films such as "Raising Helen" and "The Perfect Man" (yes, I watched them on HBO) sort of make me want to stab myself in the kidney (as Emily would say). Yet, "The Holiday" was pleasantly enjoyable.
I won't go as far as to compare it to films such as "Love Actually" and "When Harry Met Sally," but I think the movie has been severely overlooked. It's cute (but not too cute) and it succeeds in creating two relationships I actually cared about.
An element that gave "The Holiday" bonus points from Dr. Gehring and I was the character of an elderly screenwriter who worked with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. He uses the ideals of old movies to help Kate Winslet's character see that she needs to stop acting like the "best friend," take control of her life, and start acting like the "leading lady" that she is.
Although I trust Jude Law and Kate Winslet as actors, I was a little shaky about Cameron Diaz and Jack Black. Believe it or not, though, I genuinely liked each character and believed in them. Jack is actually charming in the movie (weird, I know).
I also like the fact that Kate Winslet and Jack Black's relationship is slow moving. they bond over the fact that they each suck when it comes to picking someone who will treat them well. I like this line:
"And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood and how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. "
As well as this bit of dialogue:
Iris: Because you're hoping you're wrong. And every time she does something that tells you she's no good, you ignore it. And every time she comes through and surprises you, she wins you over, and you lose that argument with yourself, that she's not for you.
Miles: Exactly, and on top of that there's the old standby, I can't believe a girl like that would actually be with a guy like me.
While this movie will probably fade into obscurity, I still think it's worth the price of admission. If you need a little romantic comedy in your life, this is the film for you.
Honestly? I loved it.
As far as film goes, I consider my main area of study/interest to be screwball and romantic comedies. This being said, nothing offends me more than one that's poorly written (or possibly it was just skewered by the producer...hmmm I've heard of this happening). Films such as "Raising Helen" and "The Perfect Man" (yes, I watched them on HBO) sort of make me want to stab myself in the kidney (as Emily would say). Yet, "The Holiday" was pleasantly enjoyable.
I won't go as far as to compare it to films such as "Love Actually" and "When Harry Met Sally," but I think the movie has been severely overlooked. It's cute (but not too cute) and it succeeds in creating two relationships I actually cared about.
An element that gave "The Holiday" bonus points from Dr. Gehring and I was the character of an elderly screenwriter who worked with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. He uses the ideals of old movies to help Kate Winslet's character see that she needs to stop acting like the "best friend," take control of her life, and start acting like the "leading lady" that she is.
Although I trust Jude Law and Kate Winslet as actors, I was a little shaky about Cameron Diaz and Jack Black. Believe it or not, though, I genuinely liked each character and believed in them. Jack is actually charming in the movie (weird, I know).
I also like the fact that Kate Winslet and Jack Black's relationship is slow moving. they bond over the fact that they each suck when it comes to picking someone who will treat them well. I like this line:
"And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood and how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. "
As well as this bit of dialogue:
Iris: Because you're hoping you're wrong. And every time she does something that tells you she's no good, you ignore it. And every time she comes through and surprises you, she wins you over, and you lose that argument with yourself, that she's not for you.
Miles: Exactly, and on top of that there's the old standby, I can't believe a girl like that would actually be with a guy like me.
While this movie will probably fade into obscurity, I still think it's worth the price of admission. If you need a little romantic comedy in your life, this is the film for you.