The Holiday is a 2006 American-British romantic comedy film written and directed by Nancy Meyers and co-produced by Bruce A. Block. It was filmed in California and England, and starred Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. Released by Columbia Pictures domestically and by Universal Pictures International overseas, it won the 2007 Teen Choice Award for Best Chick Flik.
Synopsis[]
Iris Simpkins, a wedding columnist for The Daily Telegraph in London, is still in love with her co-worker Jasper Bloom for over three years, even though he cheated on her and they have broken up. When she learns that he is engaged to another woman, Iris is distraught, and desiring a life change. Meanwhile, Amanda Woods, a workaholic business executive living in Los Angeles, discovers that her boyfriend Ethan Ebbers has been cheating on her with his receptionist. After breaking up with him, she decides to get away for the holidays and visits a home-exchange website on which Iris has listed her cottage in Surrey, England. Amanda contacts Iris, and the two women agree to swap homes for two weeks.
While Iris revels in the luxury of Amanda's large Los Angeles home, Amanda is disappointed by the slow, quiet pace of life in Iris's quaint cottage. She grows bored after only a few hours and books a flight home for the following day. Later that night, Iris's brother, Graham, arrives, thinking Iris is home. He asks Amanda to let him spend the night despite never previously meeting, as he has been drinking at the pub and does not want to drive home. Amanda agrees. After a brief, drunken conversation, they kiss and later end up sleeping together.
In the morning, Graham receives phone calls from Sophie and Olivia, which arouse Amanda's suspicions that he has multiple girlfriends. Graham, knowing that Amanda is planning to return home imminently, invites her to dinner later that night if she decides to change her mind, which she later does. They spend time together over the following days, but Amanda becomes worried that their relationship will be complicated as she is only living in England for two weeks.
Meanwhile in America, Iris meets Miles Dumont, Ethan's assistant, and later, an elderly neighbour named Arthur Abbott. She learns that he was a screenwriter during the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the two become friends. Arthur notes that Iris's relationship with Jasper is not serving her well, and he suggests movies for her to watch that include strong female characters, in hopes that she can acquire what he calls "gumption." Back in England, Amanda chooses not to see Graham again but, alone again in the cottage, she has a change of heart and surprises Graham at his house, where she meets his two young daughters, Sophie and Olivia. He reveals he is a widower.
Iris then discovers that the Screenwriters' Guild wants to throw a grand celebration in Arthur's honor, but he is reluctant to attend because he does not expect to know many of the attendees, he cannot walk without the assistance of his walker, and he does not want to embarrass himself on stage. Iris encourages him to go and promises to help him prepare by undertaking an exercise program together, determined to help him walk without his walker. During this time, Jasper contacts her from England, asking her to assist with the book he is writing. She agrees to look over his pages, but she does not have the chance to do so after spending so much time with Miles and Arthur.
Iris and Miles slowly become close friends and spend more time together. On Christmas Eve, while out renting movies, Miles is shocked to see his girlfriend with another man. It turns out that she has been cheating on Miles for a while. Both Iris and Miles decide to have Alfredo fettuccine in order to get over their broken relationships. Iris returns to Amanda's house and is surprised to find Jasper at her doorstep. Iris is touched at first and the two spend a cozy night in together, only for her to discover he is still engaged. She breaks up with him for good, claiming he has never treated her right and that she finally has clarity. Meanwhile, Miles breaks up with his cheating girlfriend, and rushes to attend Arthur's award ceremony with Iris. The event is filled with attendees applauding Arthur's lifetime of achievements. That, and the music that Miles wrote especially for Arthur for this moment, give him the confidence to walk onto the stage unassisted. He asks Iris for a date on New Year's Eve, but she reminds him she will be back in England by then. He agrees to travel to the United Kingdom for her.
Meanwhile, Graham confesses his love for Amanda the night before she is scheduled to depart. She is still doubtful that a long-distance relationship will work, but on her way to the airport, she realizes she feels the same way and returns to the cottage to reunite with Graham. She tells him that she has decided to stay to spend New Year's Eve with him, and they embrace. Iris and Miles celebrate the new year with Amanda and Graham and his two daughters, enjoying the evening.
Music[]
Original score[]
The score was composed by Hans Zimmer and conducted by Rupert Gregson Williams, with additional music by Ryeland Allison, Lorne Balfe, Henry Jackman, Atli Krvarsson and Heitor Pereira. Zimmer's score won the 2007 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for a Comedy Film.
Songs[]
| Title(s) | Performed by | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| "Last Christmas" | Wham! | ||
| "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)" | Love Unlimited | ||
| "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" | |||
| "Best of My Love" | The Emotions | ||
| "Winter Wonderland" | Darlene Love | ||
| "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" | Brenda Lee | ||
| "Mr. Brightside" | The Killers | ||
| "Toto and Alfredo" | |||
| "Projection for Two" | |||
| "It's a Shame" | The Spinners | ||
| "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" | Jet | ||
| "Let Go" | Frou Frou | ||
| "Christmas Waltz" | Eddie Higgins Trio | ||
| "Wade in the Water" | Ramsey Lewis Trio | ||
| "Flight of the Foo Birds" | Count Basie & His Orchestra | ||
| "Moonglow" | Claude Bolling Big Band with Stéphane Grappelli | ||
| "Got to Be Real" | Cheryl Lynn | ||
| "Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)" | Al Green | ||
| "Santa Baby" | Kylie Minogue | ||
| "Chariots of Fire" (Vangelis) | |||
| "Driving Miss Daisy" (Hans Zimmer) | |||
| "Tara Theme" (Max Steiner) | |||
| "Jaws Theme" "Raiders March" |
(John Williams) | ||
| "Mrs. Robinson" | Dave Grusin | ||
| "Just for Now" | Imogen Heap | ||
| "You Send Me" | Aretha Franklin | ||
Soundtrack listing[]
| # | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Maestro" | 3:54 |
| 2 | "Iris and Jasper" | 3:24 |
| 3 | "Kayak for One" | 1:31 |
| 4 | "Zero" | 2:45 |
| 5 | "Dream Kitchen" | 1:36 |
| 6 | "Separate Vacations" | 1:48 |
| 7 | "Anything Can Happen" | 0:49 |
| 8 | "Light My Fire" | 1:14 |
| 9 | "Definitely Unexpected" | 3:35 |
| 10 | "If I Wanted To Call You" | 1:51 |
| 11 | "Roadside Rhapsody" | 1:39 |
| 12 | "Busy Guy" | 1:28 |
| 13 | "For Nancy" | 1:28 |
| 14 | "It's Complicated" | 1:00 |
| 15 | "Kiss Goodbye" | 2:33 |
| 16 | "Verso e Prosa" | 1:59 |
| 17 | "Meu Passado" | 1:25 |
| 18 | "The 'Cowch'" | 2:42 |
| 19 | "Three Musketeers" | 2:45 |
| 20 | "Christmas Surprise" | 2:33 |
| 21 | "Gumption" | 3:45 |
| 22 | "Cry" | 2:39 |
Notes[]
- When Amanda first arrives at Rosehill Cottage in Surrey, she settles down to watch the BBC comedy Little Britain on TV. Jude Law, a huge fan of the program, insisted they use that show, and personally chose what sketch was shown.
- Iris watches the 1940 comedy His Girl Friday.
Cast[]
| Actor/actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Cameron Diaz | Amanda Woods |
| Kate Winslet | Iris Simpkins |
| Jude Law | Graham Simpkins |
| Jack Black | Miles Dumont |
| Eli Wallach | Arthur Abbott |
| Edward Burns | Ethan Ebbers |
| Rufus Sewell | Jasper Bloom |
| Miffy Englefield | Sophie Simpkins |
| Emma Pritchard | Olivia Simpkins |
| Sarah Parish | Hannah |
| Shannyn Sossamon | Maggie |
| Bill Macy | Ernie |
| Shelly Berman | Norman |
| Kathryn Hahn | Bristol |
| John Krasinski | Ben |
| Alex O'Loughlin Odette Yustman |
Kissing Couple |
| Bundle Williams | Girl in Pub |
| Suzanne Dixon | Newspaper Party guest |
| Terry Diab | Night Editor |
| Kenneth Danziger | Editor |
| Hope Riley | Sarah Smith-Alcott |
| Gilbert Esquivel | Gardener |
| Steven Burns Nikki Novak |
Couple on Plane |
| Judith Drake Pamela Dunlap |
Women on Plane |
| Hal Douglas | Movie Trailer Narrator |
| Jay Simpson | Limo Driver |
| Siobhan Pestano Charles Dinsdale |
Couple with Dog |
| Sarah Found | Market Clark |
| Darline Ann Harris | Arthur's Nurse |
| Marcell Brown | Airport Security Officer |
| Marina Morgan Lynden Edwards |
Graham's Friends |
| Lydia Blanco | Marta |
| Jon Prescott | Maggie's Boyfriend |
| Patrick Cavanaugh Justin Collins |
Young Men at WGA |
| The Reel Team | Loop Group |
| Uncredited | |
| Lasco Atkins | Embankment Pedestrian |
| Patrizia Barretto | Traveler |
| Drew Bayers Charles Kellam Arne Starr |
Man in Airport |
| MarLee Candell Ian Novotny |
WGA Member |
| Freddie De Grate | Coach Passenger |
| Nicholas Downs | Peter |
| Amber Elizabeth | Shop Customer |
| James Franco | Himself |
| Andy Gates | Man on Tube |
| Elizabeth Hara | Girl in Restaurant |
| Jake Head | Mixer |
| Halbert Hernandez | Man in Restaurant |
| Dustin Hoffman | Himself |
| Steve Humphreys | Jeffrey |
| Dani Lennon | Model |
| Lindsay Lohan | Herself |
| Jamie McCall | Party Guest |
| Mark A. Nash | Newsroom |
| Vanessa Ross | Lindsay's Friend |
| Scott Slifer | Passenger |
| Brian Teles | Pub Customer |
| David Venafro | Usher |
| Leanne Wilson | Girl in Bar |
External links[]
content from Wikipedia (view authors). |
|
| Sony Pictures |
| Movies | |
| Columbia Pictures | 1941 • Christmas with the Kranks • The Holiday • Arthur Christmas • Paul Blart: Mall Cop • The Night Before • The Star |
| Screen Gems | This Christmas |
| Direct-to-Video | Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night • The Nuttiest Nutcracker • The Swan Princess Christmas |