The Holiday

Andrew and I both had a pretty long day at work, so when we were watching this one we had lots of trouble staying awake. I couldn't even stay awake long enough to write the blog right afterwards.  Any chance this movie had of Andrew actually liking it was ruined because he was so sleepy. The last time we watched it he actually did fall asleep.

Our main character Iris (Kate Winslet), is a writer for a newspaper in London and she is in love with a recently engaged man who does not love her back. She is super miserable, but at least lives in a cute little cottage named Rosehill. One of the many reasons England is cool is because their houses have names. She ends up doing a home exchange with a girl named Amanda(Cameron Diaz). Amanda is a movie trailer maker in LA who recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend because she is cold-hearted and a workaholic. And because he cheated on her. She's freaking out and decides to do something she never does, and go on vacation. Thus the home exchange with Iris.

So Amanda travels to Iris' small cottage. Once she is unpacked she gets super drunk and is really bored. She She starts singing along to The Killers, and I think everyone agrees that we are just embarrassed for her when she did that. Then destiny comes a knockin' when Iris' brother, Graham(Jude Law) knocks on the door. He too is drunk and they quickly fall into bed together. I'm just going to say it. Jude Law is the best part of the movie! Amanda was planning on leaving her vacation early since she was so bored, but the new adventure with Graham gives her reason to stay.

Meanwhile back in LA, Iris is overwhelmed with the luxury of Amanda's 'mansion'. She meets Miles (Jack Black) who is a co worker of Amanda's ex. He is a film composer dating an actress. Because he brings so much attention to the art and profession of to film composing, you can't help but pay a little extra attention to the music in this film. Iris also meets her elderly neighbor, the Old Hollywood writer Arthur Abbot. He's a widower living alone, and they bond instantly. Slowly Iris begins to grow in confidence and finds pieces of her soul that she lost while being mixed up in unrequited love.

Across the pond Amanda and Graham are having a great time together until Amanda decides to put the brakes on the relationship, since she will only be there for a short time. She then changes her mind and surprises Graham at home where we learn that he is a single father of two adorable girls. (Widower) These two daughters, Sophie and Olivia and seriously super cute. I would watch a whole movie just about their little family unit. After realizing just how extremely complicated things just got, the couple decide to keep their space.

In LA, Iris and Miles are helping Arthur prepare for a night honoring him and his work in the history of film making. During this we get a funny little montage of Arthur and Iris working out together. Miles discovers that his girlfriend was cheating on him, and Iris tries to comfort him with tales of her very similar situation. On the day of the big award night, Iris' ex comes into town to try and woo her back even though he is still engaged. Miles' girlfriend also attempts to get him back. Both turn down their former flames in the hopes of having a good and healthy relationship with someone new. Arthur wows at his award show and Iris and Miles make a date for New Years in England.

The night before Amanda is suppose to leave for America, Graham tells her that he loves her and she can't say it back. She also hasn't been able to cry since she was fifteen. On the way to the airport she realizes her feelings for Graham (she shed a tear!) and runs back to the cottage to find him weeping at the fireplace. Even though she doesn't explicitly say 'I love you' back, she does decide to stay until New Years.

The next thing we see is all four of our characters dancing and having a grand ole time in England. We don't really know what happens to them, but I would like to be the optimistic and hope that despite the large location difficulties, Amanda and Graham will make it. Iris and Miles I don't care so much about. We left them when they were just bridging the friendzone-couplezone, so I'm not too sure how I feel about them as a couple. They were great friends though. I think even if Iris and Miles don't work out, the more important thing for Iris was that she learned to be herself and not let a man dictate her personality and life.

Even though it seems as though Iris is the main character, I am much more interested in Amanda's storyline. Both storylines have some super corny moments, but who doesn't love a little corny every once and a while? It's hard to find a romantic comedy that doesn't have a some cheesiness to it. In the end both women end up learning about themselves and becoming happier people.

Andrew's Closing Thought: I need a holiday to get away from this movie

Up Next: How the Grinch Stole Christmas