It's time to watch The Holiday
Burn your copy of Love, Actually. The far superior British(ish) romcom is The Holiday! Written and directed by the brilliant Nancy Meyers, this box office holiday film tells the story of unlucky-in-love Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz), who are both looking to get out of town for the holidays. They swap houses and get adventure and romance! Let's watch:
It’s been so long since I’ve watched this movie in its entirety that I forgot that the first scene is from a movie Jack Black is scoring.
Speaking of music, I absolutely love the score for The Holiday. I listen to it all the time.
This movie is such a strange choice for Kate Winslet when you look at the rest of her filmography, but she really does bring the heart of the whole thing together. Here's a very sweet interview with Nancy and Kate, which gives some background on her casting.
My only complaint about this movie is that Iris and Amanda need female friends, AND I wish they shared more conversations together. IDK who this female companion is with Iris at the office party but it’s her last appearance in the movie.
Jasper, the original gaslighter.
This scene in her office is SO CRINGE. She quotes his article. He doesn’t reciprocate. He says he has a present for her. She reaches for her present for him. And he says he didn’t bring her present. THE WORST.
This news office is beautiful, and I’d expect nothing less from Nancy Meyers.
Kate Winslet does a beautiful job of showing the gut punch, the heartbreak, the fake smile and every other emotion in between when Jasper's wedding is announced.
I want to go stay in this adorable cottage. I couldn’t live there, but I’d love to visit. Amanda’s apartment, same thing.
Amanda's ex does not give off a composer vibe. They should have made him a producer or something.
Without the brilliance of Cameron Diaz, Amanda’s role could become so annoying, but she pulls it off in a neurotic, goofy way that remains charming and convincing.
BAM, we’re hit with so many cameos… Lindsay Lohan, James Franco, John Krasinski, and the brilliant, always underutilized, Kathryn Hahn.
Me thinking about the stress of this year and whether it has broken down my DNA to make me look haggard.
I love this throwback to this grim statistic that women of a certain age are more likely to be killed by a terrorist than get married. It’s also referenced in Sleepless in Seattle.
Not since You’ve Got Mail have I found a scene between two people instant messaging so charming.
Poor Iris can’t even get on a plane without a married guy flirting with her. It spurs her to finally cut Jasper off… for now.
I love that Amanda probably purchased the full New York Times bestseller list for her journey.
The running bit of Amanda picturing her life has a movie trailer is delightful and so Hollywood.
Help me, I need some snow desperately. I want to be in this snowy English town!!!
Alert, alert, we've got some beautiful Nancy Meyers homes!
I’m throwing out all my clothes to replicate Amanda’s cream-colored winter wardrobe.
Did they film in England? (Me going to Google). They did, indeed. The house? Built in Shere, specifically for the movie. The pub? A real place you can visit!
I love that the beginning of Amanda’s story post-swap really plays out the reality of what would happen if you went to a strange place. House isn’t quite what you pictured. You drink. Then you get bored quickly because you have nothing to do and don’t know anyone. Especially if you’re a workaholic like Amanda.
Here we GO! Meet cute time… Iris/Miles and Amanda/Graham.
Jude Law is absolutely LEANING when he’s talking to Amanda, which I’m interpreting as a hat tip to While You Were Sleeping.
The Amanda/Graham chemistry is SIZZLING.
I love that Amanda is instantly 100 percent herself with Graham because she thinks they’ll never see each other again and he is so into it.
Jude Law should always wear glasses.
“What if I wanted to call you?” Swoon meter = 10.
Jasper, she sent you an email with her boundaries!! Back off!!
This bar scene is so simple but so sweet. I miss going to a crowded, woodsy, festive, probably has a fireplace, bar in December. I can just feel the atmosphere now.
The actual best relationship in the movie… Iris and Arthur!!
In Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s delightful Home Again, there is a very specific nod to the scene where Iris sees Arthur’s Academy Award.
The leading lady vs. best friend analogy is iconic and something I think about frequently.
“Because I’m running out of reasons why we shouldn’t. Aren’t you?” Swoon meter = 7
Amanda saying she’s going to try to be herself and it isn't easy. But as I’ve already said, she has been 100 percent herself with Graham already. Her guard is down and now she’s frantically trying to build it back up but it’s too late!
The balance between Graham being emotionally available but scared of a relationship and Amanda being emotionally unavailable and scared of a relationship works beautifully. And then you’ve got Iris and Miles, who are both in relationships with people who don’t value them, which also works.
I love the way Iris and Miles create this little community with Arthur’s friends. This dinner party scene is beyond cute. I feel like they just let this cast of characters improvise and it works.
“She had real gumption. She was the girl I always wrote.” Swoon meter = 8
Hello to the two most adorable child actors in the world! Here's an interview with one of them reflecting back on her time filming.
“Is that for us?” “Yes, except, I’m sorry about the wine.”
The sister comparing how many marshmallows they each have reminds me of something my brother and I would have done.
MR. NAPKIN HEAD. The true hero of Christmas.
Hand holding in the tent! Swoon meter = 8
I love that Iris befriended everyone in her neighborhood.
The Iris/Amanda/Graham phone call is PERFECTION.
Everyone wants a big dollop of whipped cream. Miles has just lived in LA way too long.
Walking through Blockbuster brings back so many memories. This scene is apparently largely improvised, which makes it all the more charming, as Jack Black sings movie scores.
Dustin Hoffman wasn’t supposed to make this cameo, but he was next door having dinner and popped over to see what was going on. He knows Nancy Meyers and she asked him to make an appearance!
UGH, Maggie, Jasper and Amanda’s initial boyfriend are the worst.
Iris and Miles just understand each other and each think the other person is wonderful and perfect.
Everyone should eat fettuccine on Christmas Eve; it’s the rule.
“I also wrote one that sounds like you. Iris, if you were a melody... I used only the good notes.” Swoon meter = 10.
Jack Black and Jude Law both master THE LOOK in this movie, which the genius Alanna Bennett describes on Twitter as the thing that makes or breaks a romcom lead.
This scene between Amanda and Graham is such a wonderful contrast to her fight with her ex at beginning of the movie. She does exactly what trash boyfriend said she does (push people away and think of the worst case relationship scenario), but the difference is Graham isn’t scared away by it and says he loves her.
I like that both Iris and Miles have moments in the movie where they get to turn down the trash humans who have been gaslighting them. It’s much more satisfying then having them move on from being rejected because they get to actively make the choice to leave now.
The score that accompanies the gumption scene is my favorite piece of music in the movie. Turn it on the next time you need to get yourself hyped up!
“You broke my heart and you acted like somehow it was my fault, my misunderstanding.” YAS Iris.
When Arthur gives Iris a corsage… it’s the cutest thing in the world. Followed closely by Arthur climbing the stairs after he hears Miles’ music.
The smiles from Iris and Miles after they kiss are too cute. While they don’t have the sizzle of Amanda/Graham, they are very adorable in their own right.
Again, Cameron Diaz sells this crying scene, which could have been ridiculous with a less skilled actress.
One more shout out to the beautiful use of snow in this movie. Apparently, it snowed three times while they were filming in England!
Graham crying after Amanda leaves. Swoon meter = 8
I bet Iris is the sweetest aunt to these two little girls.
I love this cute button on the movie with all four leads are celebrating New Year's Eve together. Not only do you finally get the stars together. It also demonstrates the movie's themes --if you’re open to it, you can create relationships with people no matter where you are!!
And with that, it’s a wrap on The Holiday. It’s romantic and beautiful and funny and charming and cozy, and it’s been so long since I sat down and actually watched the movie in its entirety that I forgot how wonderful it is.
