The Holiday

The Holiday is a fake romantic comedy with a few sincere moments. Besides that, it gives off a whiff of sucking up to people in the film industry, let’s say directly to academics (the storyline with the old Oscar-winning screenwriter). Sorry, but there’s a deep chasm between Hollywood’s The Holiday and the British Love Actually. (17/01/2007)

This movie has a single advantage – it has actresses that all the boys around the world dream of. It also offers charismatic male actors that many young girls would wish to sit for a coffee with. But the biggest issue is that it was the only thing that made me finish the movie. Actually, it was Cameron Diaz, whom I was the happiest to see in the entire movie. I simply like it when girls are crazy like that. (11/12/2013)

The Holiday falls into the category of more successful commercial romantic films that manage to be relaxing as well as entertaining. It is evident that the characters are written specifically for the charismatic actors, and it is they who raise the level of the movie at least one class higher. Kate Winslet in particular is great, charming, and cute as usual. Another wonderful actor is Eli Wallach (for whom this is a showcase role) who plays a bigger film part with gusto after several years of smaller roles. The great pity is that there is no proper script, let alone a plot. The result is a patchwork of variously successful scenes. Among the most successful are those where the authors make fun of Hollywood. Although the film is entertaining throughout and is not boring, it definitely could have been edited down, because almost 140 minutes for this kind of movie is at the very limit of tolerability. Overall, a solid, albeit weaker 4 star rating, partly due to the successful cameos. (28/01/2007)

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. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade. Nancy Myers is maturing like fine wine and now she has even outdone herself. Despite a very generous running time, she still has plenty to tell. With one couple, she immediately indicates at their first meeting how their relationship will evolve, while with the other, she takes her time. In addition, she fires off perfect jokes (the trailer) already during the exposition and manages to make the viewer fall in love with Kate Winslet at first sight. I firmly believe that the individual roles were written specifically for the actors who played them, because Jude Law was born to be charming and Jack Black has long awaited a romantic role. And the perfectly positive mood that I drew from The Holiday by the gallon resulted in the fact that although I suffered during Cameron Diaz's breakup etudes, in the end I had the feeling that there is no better option for a special love square. Yes, there is often jumping on the bed or dancing there. But now I am Miles, leaving Iris after a perfect evening and kissing her on the cheek for the second time and apologizing to her for it. And it feels wonderful to me. (09/09/2007)

Rarely does the USA make a romantic comedy this good. I found the whole movie insanely honest. And for being over 2 hours long, I wasn't bored at all. An amazing foursome complete with charming moments and situations. I really wasn't missing anything. No scene where I thought "Nooo, this should have been different". In a word (and I'm not exaggerating) – PERFECT. (04/12/2010)

I admit that if this wasn't a Christmas movie where gooey romance is to be expected, I would have rated the film three stars at most. I knew what I was in for, so I would feel like a hypocrite if I was overly critical now. Given the circumstances, I did enjoy the film, even though I'm not a fan of Jude Law, let alone Jack Black. The premise was pretty wacky, but it was handled quite well. The two hours that initially scared me a little just raced by. The only thing I could do without was Kate Winslet's lengthy speech which was a little boring. (08/01/2018)

If I want to get in the right Christmas mood, I almost always reach for this romantic comedy by Nancy Meyers. And I have a great time every time. How could it not, when the main plot and the style of humor work perfectly? Not to mention that I can hardly imagine a better cast for such occasions. Moreover, all four of the central characters are so convincing in their roles that it can hardly be surpassed. (90%) (28/12/2020)