I Needed a Holiday

I finally made it to the movies this weekend. I was torn between Blood Diamond and The Holiday. My PMS won out and I saw The Holiday. It was light, sweet and frothy. Just what I expected it to be. The theater was full and everyone laughed at the appropriate times.

Directed and written by Nancy Meyers, the film tells the story of a polite Brit Iris (Kate Winslet) and career driven Amanda (Cameron Diaz). Both have split from their boyfriends and are looking for an escape. The escape comes in the form of a two-week house swap, which transports Amanda to Surrey, England, and Iris to Los Angeles. Along the way, romance blooms, wilts then blooms again for the ladies.

Meyers is the genius writer of Something’s Gotta Give. She also penned my 80s favorites Irreconcilable Differences, Baby Boom and Protocol. I just saw Protocol again last week. Goldie Hawn is great in it. Here Meyers has written a pretty formulaic romantic comedy. The stand out was Winslet as the everywoman Iris. She transcends the average material and turns in a memorable and heartbreaking performance. She has come a long way since being miscast in Titanic and being labeled a young sexy starlet. Her strength is not her sex appeal, it’s her vulnerability and likability.

Diaz, on the other hand, was an issue from the start. Her character wasn’t that likable; she came across as the stereotypical neurotic L.A. businesswoman. It was hard to sympathize wit her. The first third of the movie was awkward as you tried to figure out her motives. They were out of left field. Her charisma finally kicked in at the end but it wasn’t her best role to date.

Jack Black, as Miles, was his usual goofy self but was the perfect match for Winslet. Jude Law, as Graham, was a bit too practiced and perfect. You know, the sunny smile and precision haircut. It wasn’t until his “secret” came out that he became more human and adorable. He’s about as charming as it gets. The movie had a whimsical side with its movie trailer gag. Cute! Overall, the movie was fun. It's no, When Harry Met Sally or Pretty Woman but at least it wasn’t Two Weeks Notice.

Here are some romantic comedies that are picking up where When Harry Met Sally left off:

50 First Dates (2004) -Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler are adorable together in this movie.

Return to Me (2000) - It breaks your heart in the beginning and warms it in the end.

Hitch (2005) - Very funny. Made me think of Will Smith in another way.

Runaway Bride (1999) - Julia Roberts and Richard Gere have great comedy together.


What is your favorite romantic comedy of the last decade?