A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: The Holiday

Date Viewed: 12/23/06

Details:

Cameron Diaz

Kate Winslet

Jude Law

Jack Black

Eli Wallach

Written & directed by: Nancy Meyers

Score: Hans Zimmer

Score: +

The Review: Excellent romantic comedy with a seasonal accent. Borrows a little from Shakespeare (multiple interconnected couples but no need for mistaken identities), and a little from "The Prince and the Pauper" (swapping the rich & famous for the quiet life out of the limelight), stirs in two women with relationship problems -- in a word, "men" -- and entertainment flows therefrom.

Both Amanda (Diaz) and Iris (Winslet) are depressed and disappointed about their most recent loves leaving them in the lurch, happen to meet at an Internet home-swap site, and on the rebound, agree to exchange homes for the upcoming holidays. Rural England in a bitter early winter is rather a shock to Amanda's L.A. blood; the reverse is somewhat more agreeable to Iris. (Since this was released in time for the northern hemisphere Christmas holidays, it "feels" right.)

A good cast -- glued together by Eli Wallach's character, an aging Hollywood screenwriter from the beginning of the studio system.

(28-Dec-06)

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