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The Holiday Review

Movies.com Critics

2.0

Dave White Profile

… full of crap. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    52

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    In what was clearly designed to be a chick flick, the on-screen chicks work hard at being endearing, while Jude Law, as Amanda's more than conversational partner, charms everyone effortlessly and gets the best lines.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    Ms. Meyers, whose ambitions are telegraphed by her film's title, which directly invokes George Cukor's lovely 1938 romp "Holiday," has created a cumbersome vehicle by saddling Iris with a flamboyantly glamorous Los Angeles double, Amanda. As played by Cameron Diaz with oodles of charm and not an ounce of persuasion, Amanda doesn't as much mirror Iris's love troubles as throw them into wincing relief.

    Read Full Review

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    The dialogue has a perky synthetic sheen, and with the exception of Diaz, Meyers brings out the best in her actors.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Carina Chocano

    The alluring surfaces of other people's lives can be deceiving, though generally not in a Nancy Meyers comedy, where the thin veneer of fantasy cloaks ... more fantasy.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    A lavishly overstuffed gift basket of a movie.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

    It's formulaic but with a big heart.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    If you're willing to embrace a bit of corniness for the sake of some incisive humor, a few poignant moments and enjoyable scenarios, make time for The Holiday.

    Read Full Review

  • See all The Holiday reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 14+

Holiday-themed chick flick is OK for teens.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this holiday-themed chick flick will probably appeal to older tween and teen girls, who could get mixed messages from some of the characters' behavior. Several scenes focus on drinking and drunkenness; two of them lead to sexual encounters. This unsafe behavior is presented as cute comedy. Plus, a single father suggests that he sometimes gets drunk to "compartmentalize" his life and deal with his sadness over his lost wife and the pressures of being a fulltime dad. Characters frequently get emotional. A woman punches her cheating boyfriend so hard that he falls to the ground. A couple of "f--k"s and other minor language.

  • Families can talk about the idea of swapping houses, lives, or situations, which is increasingly popular in the age of reality TV and the Internet. Who would you want to switch with? Where might you like to spend two weeks? Do you think it would turn out at all like the movie? What are the risks of swaps like this?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Romantic comedy features silly and sad situations (cheating partners, recollections of missing parents) in order to motivate the eventual appropriate coupling.

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Amanda's movie trailer features explosions and stunts (very brief); Amanda punches Ethan, knocking him to the ground; Amanda hits her head on the cottage stair.

  • sex false0

    Sex: Several instances of kissing and embracing (twice in bed, though no nudity); two drunken sexual encounters -- characters drink together and discuss what happened later; two men admit cheating on their partners; discussions of "foreplay."

  • language false3

    Language: Language includes one "f--k" and one near "f--k" (it's obvious what she's saying, though the word ends before the "k"); sexual slang ("shagging," "boob"); at least one of each of these: "s--t," "piss," "ass," "bitch," "hell," "codger," "schmuck."

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Sony Vaio laptop, Audi , Lexus, Pepcid, Google.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drunkenness used as means to sexual liaisons; drinking in social situations (parties) as well as to assuage heartache; liquor, wine, saki, and beer; cigarette smoking; reference to valium.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.049
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

The Holiday by holmon
The Holiday is a witty, romantic, and humorous film about two women that realize you can have it all. It is truly a story of forgetting your past and finding the most exquisite gift of all- love. The actors create loveable characters with stunning and marvelous performances; along with a fantastic script. At some points, you don?t know whether to laugh or to cry. The score (created by Hans Zimmer) in The Holiday is truly unforgettable and simply delightful. The Holiday will make you want to watch it over and over.

5

Oh wow! by Bubuu
One of the B.E.S.T romantic comedies I've ever seen! Sooo great people, down-to-earth life meanings, touching moments, unbreakable laughs, tears of love, compassion, & laugh. Just everything in one package! Good deal! hehe

5

very cute! by vtausa
Very cute! I'll buy it when it comes out on DVD.

5

by guidance

2

by moveslowly4574

4

by Alpavkov

3

by Echo13

5

by RACHEL77

5

by Brandi12580

Read all The Holiday reviews at Fandango
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