Main Cast: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach
Release Year: 2006
Country: US
Run Time: 135 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Nancy Meyers' romantic comedy Holiday stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two women who exchange houses in order to get a new lease on life. After each suffers her fair share of romantic disappointments, Englishwoman Iris (Winslet) and L.A. woman Amanda (Diaz) meet on-line at a website devoted to helping people exchange houses for vacations. Each agrees to spend the Christmas holiday at the other's home. While each suffers from a minor case of culture shock, both women also end up becoming involved with a man. Iris makes the acquaintance of an upbeat everyman played by Jack Black, while Amanda spends time with a handsome Brit played by Jude Law. Both women must decide what to do with these new relationships as their pre-arranged house switch is scheduled to last less than two weeks. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Review
With The Holiday, director Nancy Meyers aspires to something more than your average chick flick. At least, that would seem to be her intention, since she's building a standard romantic comedy using nonstandard parts. Cameron Diaz is the only real genre veteran here, with Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black all relatively new to the experience. But instead of their outsider talents elevating the material, under Meyers, Winslet et al. fall quickly in line with genre norms. This leaves The Holiday -- a film about the desperate need for new scenery -- feeling all too familiar. Which isn't to say it's not a watchable piece of seasonal romantic fluff; just don't confuse it for more than that. Winslet, the most surprising inclusion in the cast, actually seems rather joyous, liberated from the serious demands of her more typical roles. Quite the opposite is the case for Black, who's usually the zaniest guy in the room, and seems a little subdued playing it straight. But the Tenacious D prankster does sneak in some of the improvisational scatting his fans love -- a much-needed, all-too-brief reminder of how going outside the box is supposed to feel. Too bad the Black-Winslet storyline gets the short shrift, given only a hasty romantic angle after she's already spent considerable time befriending an octogenarian screenwriter. Diaz' high-maintenance film editor gets more celluloid, even though she's harder to warm up to -- and not just because she's in an actual wintry environment. Law's charm makes that task a little easier, especially when a surprise revelation gives the impossibly handsome womanizer -- both onscreen and in real life -- some extra dimension. The Holiday may not be as different as its director envisioned, but the target audience should be happy enough in these familiar surroundings. ~ All Movie Guide
Edward Burns - Ethan; Rufus Sewell - Jasper; Miffy Englefield - Sophie; Emma Pritchard - Olivia; Sarah Parish - Hannah; Shannyn Sossamon - Maggie; Bill Macy - Ernie; Shelley Berman - Norman; Kathryn Hahn - Bristol; John Krasinski - Ben; Alex O'Loughlin - Kissing Couple; Odette Yustman - Kissing Couple; Bundle Williams - Girl in Pub; Susan Dizon - Newspaper Party Guest; Terry Diab - Newspaper Editor; Kenneth Danziger - Editor-in-Chief; Hope Riley - Smith-Alcott, Sarah; Gilbert Esquivel - Gardener; Steven Bruns - Couple on Plane; Nikki Novak - Couple on Plane; Judith Drake - Women in Plane; Pamela Dunlap - Women on Plane; Hal Douglas - Movie Trailer Narrator; Jay Simpson - Limo Driver; Siobhan Pestano - Couple With Dog; Charles Dinsdale - Couple With Dog; Sarah Flind - Market Clerk; Darlene Ann Harris - Arthur's Nurse; Marcell Brown - Airport Guard; Marina Morgan - Graham's Friend; Lynden Edwards - Graham's Friend; Lydia Blanco - Marta; Jon Prescott - Maggie's Boyfriend; Patrick Cavanaugh - Young Man at WGA; Justin Collins - Young Man at WGA
Credit
Dan Webster - Art Director, James Foster - Art Director, Andy Nicholson - Art Director, Jennifer Eatz - Associate Producer, Randy Johnson - Boom Operator, Will Towers - Boom Operator, Robert C. Jackson - Boom Operator, Michelle Guish - Casting, Jane Jenkins - Casting, Janet Hirshenson - Casting, Susan Shopmaker - Casting, Rupert Gregson Williams - Conductor, Marlene Stewart - Costume Designer, William Booker - First Assistant Director, K.C. Colwell - First Assistant Director, Nancy Meyers - Director, Vic Armstrong - Second Unit Director, Bruce A. Block - Second Unit Director, Joe Hutshing - Editor, Suzanne Farwell - Executive Producer, Jeff Blodgett - Executive Producer, Lona Vigi - Hair Styles, Chris Baugh - Location Manager, Kevin Funston - Location Manager, Benjamin Greenacre - Location Manager, Hans Zimmer - Composer (Music Score), Nick Angel - Musical Direction/Supervision, Linda Melazzo - Makeup, Robin Fredriksz - Makeup, Roz Music - Makeup, Sue Gibson - Camera Operator, Chris Seager - Camera Operator, David Worley - Camera Operator, Casey Hotchkiss - Camera Operator, Alf Tramontin - Camera Operator, Martin Hume - Camera Operator, Joseph Riggs Murdock - Camera Operator, Jon Hutman - Production Designer, Dean Cundey - Cinematographer, Sue Gibson - Cinematographer, Chris Seager - Cinematographer, Bruce A. Block - Producer, Nancy Meyers - Producer, Lauren Polizzi - Set Designer, John Warnke - Set Designer, Robert Fechtman - Set Designer, Julia Levine - Set Designer, Al Hobbs - Set Designer, Bill W. Benton - Sound Mixer, Tim Fraser - Sound Mixer, Alan Meyerson - Sound Mixer, Jeffrey J. Haboush - Sound Mixer, Petur Hliddal - Sound/Sound Designer, Mark Holt - Special Effects Supervisor, Darcy Crownshaw - Special Effects Supervisor, Helen Pollak - Unit Production Manager, Paul Frift - Unit Production Manager, Nancy Meyers - Screenwriter, Terrence Dunlop - Production Assistant, Tony Buccola - Production Assistant, Mike Tsucalas - Production Assistant, Shayne Fiske - Production Assistant, Adam Feingold - Production Assistant, Justin Maguire - Production Assistant, Danny Ward - Production Assistant, Scott Rader - Visual Effects Supervisor, D. Chris Smith - Sound Effects Editor, Heitor Pereira - Additional Music, Lorne Balfe - Additional Music, Atli Orvarsson - Additional Music, Henry Jackman - Additional Music, Ryeland Allison - Additional Music, Boone's Animals For Hollywood - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Peggy Mulloy - Unit Publicist, Richard Marks - Additional Editing, David Moritz - Additional Editing, Tommy Klines - First Assistant Camera, William Coss - First Assistant Camera, Mark Evans - Gaffer, Reg Boddy - Gaffer, Frank A. Montesanto - Key Grip, John Flemming - Key Grip, Michael Strong - Key Grip, Andrew Silver - Music Editor, Ramiro Belgardt - Music Editor, Daniel Pinder - Music Editor, Ryan Rubin - Music Editor, Heitor Pereira - Musical Performer, Jennifer Blair - Production Coordinator, Andrew Zack - Production Coordinator, Deryn Stafford - Production Coordinator, Nicolas Stern - Production Supervisor, Ralph Bertelle - Production Supervisor, Adam Browne - Production Supervisor, Mychael Bates - Properties Master, Jamie Wilkinson - Properties Master, Jeanne Marie Byrd - Script Supervisor, Richard Graysmark - Second Assistant Director, Paula Case - Second Assistant Director, Eric Rylander - Special Effects Coordinator, Gregory Lundsgaard - Steadicam Operator, Alf Tramontin - Steadicam Operator, Jacques Jouffret - Steadicam Operator, Simon Mein - Still Photographer, Zade Rosenthal - Still Photographer, Michael O'Farrell - Supervising Sound Editor, Dennis Drummond - Supervising Sound Editor, Bryce Brecheisen - Visual Effects Producer, Yulia Gershenzon - Costume/Wardrobe, Amy Arnold - Costume/Wardrobe, Michelle Morris Gertz - Additional Casting, Howard London - ADR Mixer, Ashley Burnham - Assistant Art Director, Frank Matthews - Assistant Chief Lighting Technician, Richard Hill - Assistant Location Manager, Eva M. Schroeder - Assistant Location Manager, Duffy Taylor - Assistant Location Manager, Louisa Grant - Assistant Location Manager, Aaron Millar - Assistant Location Manager, Eve Petcher - Assistant Production Coordinator, Jason Salzman - Assistant Production Coordinator, Chuck Askerneese - Assistant Properties, Michael P. Sweeney - Assistant Properties, Galen Goodpaster - Assistant Sound Editor, Ann Ducommun - Assistant Sound Editor, David Sinfield - Best Boy Electric, Paul Schmidt - Best Boy Grip, Derek Russell - Best Boy Grip, Colette Gabriel - Camera Loader, Randee Price - Casting Assistant, Michelle Lewitt Ward - Casting Associate, Grace Browning - Casting Associate, Michael Paul Orefice - Chief Lighting Technician, Jeff Passanante - Construction Coordinator, John Maher - Construction Coordinator, Lisa Lovaas - Costumes Supervisor, Mark Ferguson - Costumes Supervisor, Emily Greenberg - DGA Intern, Joe Schiff - Dialogue Editor, Mark Yardas - Dialogue Editor, Kim Drummond - Dialogue Editor, Brad Rea - Dolly Grip, Ronan Murphy - Dolly Grip, Jennifer Bender - Extra Casting, Mad Dog Casting - Extra Casting, Cynthia Phillips - First Assistant Accountant, Beth Waller - First Assistant Accountant, Keith Brachmann - First Assistant Editor, Gary A. Hecker - Foley Artist, Michael Broomberg - Foley Artist, Vincent Guisetti - Foley Artist, Pamela Nedd Kahn - Foley Artist, Eryne Prine - Foley Editor, Wayne Griffin - Foley Editor, Jon Marson - Greensman, Holly Davis - Key Costumer, Lori Stilson - Key Costumer, Ira Hammons - Key Costumer, Charlotte Child - Key Costumer, Megan Matthews - Key Costumer, Karen Blynder - Key Make-up, Shane Reed - Leadman, Richard Brunton - Leadman, Whitney Thomas - Personal Assistant, Ben Jackson - Personal Assistant, Jesse Lutz - Personal Assistant, Heather Longerbeam - Personal Assistant, Judson Grubbs - Personal Assistant, Janine Gray - Personal Assistant, Steve Moramarco - Personal Assistant, John Catron - Production Accountant, Nathan Woods - Production Accountant, Jennifer Tanksley - Second Assistant Camera, R. Scott Goodrich - Second Assistant Camera, Craig Comstock - Second Second Assistant Director, Victoria Allen - Second Second Assistant Director, Emma Stokes - Second Second Assistant Director, Merdyce McClaran - Set Dresser, Dan Marrow - Transportation Captain, Randy Burke - Transportation Captain, Simon Jones - Transportation Coordinator, Radium - Visual Effects, Sarah Cave - Visual Effects, Cindy Carr - Set Decorator, Anna Pinnock - Set Decorator, David Smith - Set Decorator, The Reel Team - ADR Loop Group, Jim Passon - Color Timing, Ed Turk - Construction Foreman, Bob Decourt - Construction Foreman, Michael Johnstone - Craft Service/Catering, Raymond Bulinski - Craft Service/Catering, Gala Catering - Craft Service/Catering, Tory Littman - Craft Service/Catering, Clive Mackey - Focus Puller, Shaun Evans - Focus Puller, Kyle Rochlin - Foley Mixer, Brad Brock - Foley Mixer, Jonathon Klein - Foley Supervisor, Mo Henry - Negative Cutter, Denise Hanrahan - Production Secretary, Sara Bartkiewicz - Production Secretary, Marie Nashold - Set Medic/First Aid, Donald Myers - Special Effects Foreman, Dale Ettema - Special Effects Technician, Michael Haight - Supervising ADR Editor, Kevin P. Boyd - Video Assist, Adrian Spanna - Video Assist, Edward A. Ioffreda - Graphic Design, yU+Co - Title Design, Charlotte Raybourn - Art Department Coordinator, Fred M. Wardell - Assistant Editor, Andrew Blustain - Assistant Editor, Debra L. Tennant - Assistant Editor, David Bilow - Assistant Editor, Brad Wilder - Department Head Makeup, Jason Torbett - Standby Properties, Bradley Torbett - Standby Properties, Nathan Schroeder - Illustrator, Vladimir Spasojevic - Illustrator, Federico Saccone - Compositor, Christine Goldby - Compositor, Kevin Prendiville - Compositor, Fergus Clegg - Assistant Set Decorator, Sophie Newman - Assistant Set Decorator
The two main characters are Amanda, a highly successful editor of movie trailers in Los Angeles, and Iris, a lovesick society column editor for The Daily Telegraph in England. The story is set in motion when each of them suffers a heartache: Amanda discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her, while the object of Iris' unrequited love announces his engagement at the office Christmas party. Seeking an escape, Iris proposes the home swap on the internet, posting an ad about her quaint cottage in the English countryside. Her offer is eagerly accepted by Amanda, who lives in a luxurious home in L.A. but is stressed over her break-up. (There are also hints that Amanda is a workaholic; there is a running gag that she imagines her life as being narrated by movie trailer narrator Hal Douglas.)
At first, the swap seems uneven; Iris revels in the luxury of Amanda's L.A. home, while Amanda suffers a series of disappointments in Surrey. Things turn around for Amanda when she meets Iris' brother Graham. Both Amanda and Graham intend to have a one-night stand, but a romance develops.
Meanwhile, Iris befriends movie composer Miles and elderly Arthur Abbott; Arthur, it turns out, worked as a screenwriter during the Golden Age of Hollywood. The friendship between Iris and Miles turns romantic after Miles learns of his girlfriend's infidelity.
The film was partially filmed in Los Angeles, Godalming, Surrey and the nearby villages of Wonersh and Shere. Exterior scenes of the house of Cameron Diaz's character in the film were shot in San Marino, California. The interior sets for Amanda's house were built on a sound stage and cost approximately $1 million, without exterior walls, a roof, plumbing, heating and electricity.
The first location that Cameron Diaz's character clicks on for a vacation location - The Cotswolds - is the region in which Kate Winslet lives in real life.
When Iris (Kate Winslet) is driving Arthur (Eli Wallach) home, he asks her what part of England she is from. She says "Surrey", to which he replies "Cary Grant was from Surrey" and explains he knows this because Cary Grant told him once. He was actually from Bristol, some 100 miles to the west of Surrey.
The film grossed $205,135,175, worldwide, and is considered a financial success.
Trivia
Lindsay Lohan in her cameo.
A dvd copy of this movie was given by Mark Sanford to his mistress. He mentioned in a romantic email that this movie was particularly resonant to their situation. [1]
Dustin Hoffman appears in the video rental store in an uncredited cameo as Jack Black talks about the score from The Graduate. According to Hoffman, this was unscripted and unexpected. He was going to Blockbuster for a movie, saw all the light and came over to see what was going on. He knew director Nancy Meyers, who scripted a scene with him in it.
Lindsay Lohan and James Franco give uncredited appearances in the movie trailer Cameron Diaz's character is working on.
In the video rental store, Miles (Jack Black) sings the theme tune of Driving Miss Daisy by "Hans". Hans Zimmer also composed and produced the score for The Holiday. Jack Black later spoofed the movie in Be Kind, Rewind.
When Iris goes into Arthur's house, she notices he has an Oscar statuette amongst his work, to which she says "wow!". This could be a reference to Kate Winslet's five Oscar nominations, none of which were successful. The Oscar shown in Arthur's house is actually a replica with some small changes. Academy rules forbid statuettes to "be used as a stage property or article of set dressing in any stage, television, video or motion picture production not produced by the Academy" although "Licensed exceptions will be considered under unusual circumstances".[2]
Eli Wallach's character Arthur Abbott (a Hollywood screenwriter) described a meet-cute by saying "Say a man and a woman both need something to sleep in and both go to the same men's pajama department. The man says to the salesman, I just need bottoms, and the woman says, I just need a top. They look at each other and that's the meet-cute." It's a reference to the film Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938) by Ernst Lubitsch with Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper, and the writers Charlton Andrews, Charles Brackett, Alfred Savoir and Billy Wilder.[3]
The movie Iris chooses when looking through Amanda's DVDs is Punch-Drunk Love, the Two Disc Special Edition.[4]
According to Box Office MojoThe Holiday made just over $200,000,000 gross at the global box office, $63,000,000 of which in the United States and Canada.
The classic movie that Kate Winslet is watching - after Arthur Abbott's (Eli Wallach) recommendation - is His Girl Friday, a 1940 screwball comedy starring Cary Grant as a newspaper editor who attempts to keep his ex-wife and fellow reporter (played by Rosalind Russell) from marrying someone else.
In one scene, Amanda is sitting in bed watching Little Britain on BBC1 when an advertisement comes on. This is inaccurate as the BBC does not air advertisements. However the BBC-owned TV station UKTV does.
According to a radio interview on BBC Radio 1, the song "Kill the Director" by The Wombats was written about this film . From the lyrics "this is no Bridget Jones" and according to the radio interview, they hated the film, and hence decided to write a song about it.[citation needed]
The song "Star Girl" by the British-Pop band McFly was played in the background of the movie for advertisement for the band.
Both Amanda and Graham have Eames chairs in their offices.
