'The Holiday': The Essence of Romance and Renewal
The Holiday, one of Nancy Meyers’ outstanding films released in 2006, tell the story of two women from two different worlds, from different sides of the Atlantic Ocean in fact, who get in a house swap deal during the holiday season. Amanda, an editor of movie trailers from Los Angeles, and Iris, a journalist from Surrey, are both in misfortune in love affairs. To run away from their problems, they swap houses for two weeks which provides the peaceful atmosphere of the English countryside to Amanda and the life of glamour in California to Iris. Their paths twist rather swiftly as the characters learn new boyfriends and, most generously, new selves.
Love and loss, change and the quest for individual happiness represent the leading motifs of ‘The Holiday’. It is warm, and it is mostly serious but can have humor throughout it. The movie focuses on relationships in an acceptable and reassuring manner appropriate for the holiday genre; Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet convincingly portray women in the process of transformation. Cute and sleazy as the likable brother in the picture of a countryside cottage, Jude Law inspirits the humorous type of character, while, surprisingly, Jack Black gives romantic touch and pleasant humor. Eli Wallach, the old wise man, the neighbor, and the protagonist’s friend, displays great sensitivity as a actor that brings more humanity to the story.
Nancy Meyers develops the movie in the way she always does, warm romantic comedy with style. Her guidance makes sure the movie is sweet, sentimental and occasionally realistic on characters, the settings, and what’s around them are all beautifully crafted.
The musical score given by Hans Zimmer is well It also helps for the story to develop on its own and lets the audience enjoy every feeling of the characters.
The conversations are still sharp and philosophical where characters analyze love and value of oneself. It is written with great skills in accordance with each of the characters, full of sense and wit of the movie, with lines that can be quoted and remembered for a long time.
The Holiday can be too cliché with its approach to romantic moments too typical for the movies. It does occasionally feel as though the film falls back on conventions which are familiar from other romantic comedies and this does slightly detract from the originality.
Overall ‘The Holiday’ has of course left me feeling warm and fuzzy. It will keep you chuckling andfavicon and smiling till the end with great chemistry between the leads, perfect for those who want a light movie that makes them happy. What I found rather inspiring is the belief that people can start over, find love and have another shot at living the live they always wanted.
