One night, when I knew I’d be alone in the house and have nothing to do, I rented The Holiday and grabbed some candy and settled into my couch. This chick flick, much in the style of Bridget Jones and Notting Hill, revolves around the story of two women: Cameron Diaz’s character in Los Angeles and Kate Winslet’s character in London. Both women are struggling with failed romance and trying to figure out how to get their lives back in order. Diaz plays a wealthy movie biz executive who’s just kicked her boyfriend out for cheating, while Winslet’s journalist is suffering from heartache and unrequited love. Neither woman wants to be at home for the holidays, so they arrange a “life swap” for two weeks. The two ladies switch cars, houses and countries for vacation, their one stipulation is NO MEN.

As is the custom for these kinds of movies, the two women travel to distant lands and find friendship and romance where they least expected. Diaz’s character is startled by Winslet’s tiny, rustic cottage and snow covered hamlet, while Winslet is in heaven at Diaz’s high tech mansion.

Enter Jude Law and Jack Black.

Jude Law plays Winslet’s brother and he charms the pants off (literally) Diaz. However, her hope for no-strings-attached romance crashes when she gets jealous that other women are calling his phone. She tries to leave town, but her heart overwhelms her. In the meantime, Winslet is back in LA befriending a lonely, elderly neighbor and enjoying the warm weather. She meets the charmingly hilarious Jack Black and they strike up a friendship. Black’s character is in love with a beautiful actress, but his heart breaks when he finds out that she’s moved on to a more dashing man. Winslet and Black, and their crew of elderly, former Hollywood elite, friends spend the holidays getting to know one another and forgetting about their troubles.

Back in London, Diaz is surprised to find out that Law isn’t so much a ladies man as a father of two motherless girls. The phone calls he’s been receiving? His daughters were calling to say goodnight to Daddy. Diaz's heart warms at the reception she’s given by Law’s inquisitive and adorable girls, and feels saddened by the thought that the girls have lost their mother. Diaz understands what it’s like to build emotional walls against pain and her experience with Law and his girls softens her heart.

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By the end of the story, predictably, romance strikes everyone. Despite the relatively guessable conclusion, the movie is fun, refreshing and feel-good. If you are the type of person who likes a happy ending, this movie should pull at your heartstrings and make you laugh. Check out The Holiday and get into the Christmas spirit a little early.

- Alexis, Entertainment Reviewer for PanicShoppers.com.

The Holiday
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Edward Burns, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon and John Krasinski
Directed by Nancy Meyers
Release Date: 8 December 2006

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