Movie Review - "The Holiday" is a Sweet Romantic Comedy with a Christmas Theme

If you want a sweet romantic comedy with a Christmas theme, "The Holiday," should be on your wish list. This 2006 film overflowing with stars manages to remain charming nevertheless. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslett, Jude Law, Jack Black and a slew of other big names, including some surprising and uncredited cameos, fill the screen and add their various brands of magic to the overall mix for a delightful romantic holiday escape.

"The Holiday" is the story of two women a world apart but equally unlucky in love. Amanda, after kicking her cheating boyfriend to the curb, decides that getting far away will help her feel less alone at Christmas. Impulsively accessing a house-swapping site online, she falls in love with a little English cottage and decides to take an unprecedented holiday from the movie-trailer writing business she owns in Los Angeles. She e-mails the cottage's owner, Iris, who has just found out that the love of her life is engaged to another woman. Before they know it, the English Rose and the California Girl are on their way across the world to "get away" from their romantic complications for two weeks.

Iris is ecstatic in the sprawling mansion with huge kitchen, home theater room and swimming pool. She takes to California living, forms a heartwarming friendship with an old, lonely neighbor, and comes to appreciate Amanda's assistant, played by Jack Black, in a surprisingly sweet and funny turn as a romantic lead.

Amanda has more of an adjustment as she freezes in the tiny, out-of-the-way cottage, and is bored out of her mind until Iris' devastatingly handsome brother, played by Jude Law, pops in for a visit. She's acting completely out of character, he's got surprising secrets, and the unlikely romance takes a winding path to a satisfying conclusion. The movie-trailers of her life that run through Amanda's head are an hilarious touch.

"The Holiday" is rated PG-13. There are a couple of swear words, and some sexual innuendo, as well as one scene showing Cameron Diaz, in her bra, in bed with a man. But mostly the film is just sweet, funny and unique. You can rent "The Holiday" from Netflix, or buy it from Amazon for $8.49 (or $15.49 Blu-Ray). "The Holiday" is a great movie to snuggle up and watch with your honey this Christmas.

Source: personal experience watching a DVD of "The Holiday"