The Holiday (2006)

Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.

Director:

Nancy Meyers

Writer:

Nancy Meyers

Stars:

Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cameron Diaz	...	Amanda Woods
Kate Winslet	...	Iris Simpkins
Jude Law	...	Graham
Jack Black	...	Miles
Eli Wallach	...	Arthur Abbott
Edward Burns	...	Ethan
Rufus Sewell	...	Jasper Bloom
Miffy Englefield	...	Sophie
Emma Pritchard	...	Olivia
Sarah Parish	...	Hannah
Shannyn Sossamon	...	Maggie
Bill Macy	...	Ernie
Shelley Berman	...	Norman
Kathryn Hahn	...	Bristol
John Krasinski	...	Ben

Storyline

In London, Iris Simpkins writes a wedding column in a newspaper and nurtures an unrequited love for her colleague Jasper Bloom. Near Christmas, she is informed that Jasper is engaged to marry another colleague, and her life turns upside down. In Los Angeles, the movie-trailers maker Amanda Woods has just split with her unfaithful boyfriend Ethan and wants to forget him. Through a house exchange website, Amanda impulsively swaps her mansion for Iris' cottage in Surrey for the holidays. While in Surrey, Amanda meets Iris' brother and book editor Graham and they fall in love with each other. Meanwhile, Iris meets her new next door neighbor the ninety year old screenplay writer Arthur, who helps her retrieve her self-esteem, and the film composer Miles, with whom she falls in love.

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Plot Keywords:

love | house | composer | book | self esteem | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [UK] United International Pictures [Germany]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les vacances

Filming Locations:

1883 Orlando Road, San Marino, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$85,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,826,520 (UK) (8 December 2006)

Gross:

$63,224,849 (USA) (26 January 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, Relativity Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The website Amanda and Iris use to exchange houses is a real website, homeexchange.com.

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Goofs

Iris's house is constructed of a flat, smooth slate-like stone. However, in England, the main building material for houses such as Iris's would have been flint, a fist-sized gray rock, that would have given the house a rough pebbly look.

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Quotes

Iris: You're supposed to be the leading lady in your own life, for God's sake!

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Connections

References The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

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Soundtracks

Chariots of Fire
(1981)
Written by Vangelis

User Reviews

Surprisingly Good ChickFlick Even This Bloke Loved It

Well I have to confess I was dreading seeing this film, but actually I loved it.

The story is quite fantastical. But once you can go along with the ridiculous plot, it is very funny and totally charming. It's a bit like eating liquid chocolate, and somehow manages to last for 2 hours and 10 minutes without you feeling sick.

At the start of the film, the acting is very hammy, but this removes your desire for believability enough to carry the film. Cameron Diaz and Jude Law look absolutely lovely. Kate Winslett really pulls off her comedic role brilliantly. The are some beautiful touching moments about Hollywood history and a couple of famous faces appear in cameo roles. The English countryside is lovely. Lots of laughter and tears in the audience.

The nutritional value of chocolate is limited. This film will uplift you though if nothing else. Excellent Christmas movie (from a bloke!).