SNMR 5.25: "The Holiday"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "The Holiday" (2006, PG-13, 136 minutes), starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Edward Burns and Rufus Sewell. The film was directed by Nancy Meyers.

PLOT SUMMARY: Iris (Winslet) is in love with a man (Sewell) who is about to marry another woman. Across the globe, Amanda (Diaz), realizes the man she lives with (Burns) has been unfaithful. Two women who have never met and live 6,000 miles apart, find themselves in the exact same place. They meet online at a home exchange website and impulsively switch homes for the Christmas holiday. Iris moves into Amanda's L.A. house in sunny California as Amanda arrives in the snow covered English countryside. Shortly after arriving at their destinations, both women find the last thing either wants or expects: a new romance. Amanda is charmed by Iris' handsome brother Graham (Law) and Iris, with inspiration provided by legendary screenwriter Arthur (Wallach), mends her heart when she meets film composer Miles (Black).

MY THOUGHTS: This is a totally believable, charming tale about two women who switch homes for the holidays and find romance in their new surroundings. The script is well written and has nice flow to it, though is a bit long at 2 hours 16 minutes. Winslet and Law are brilliant in their roles as brother and sister. Diaz's character is quite annoying, due to her snobbish Hollywood surroundings. I've never been a Jack Black fan and he is horribly miscast in a non-funny role. Wallach is excellent as the old guard writer of a bygone Hollywood era. Director Meyers also wrote the story and knows exactly what she wants from each scene. The making of documentary is well done. This is a good clean film.

*** out of *****