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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
The Holiday
Imagine taking a break from your life. When things get rough we’ve all thought about just going away somewhere to get a new perspective on life. Most of us make reservations at a hotel, but Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) found a new way to escape from their lives. After meeting online they decide to change places. Iris would leave her cottage in England and move into Amanda’s house in Los Angeles and Amanda would move into Iris’ cottage for two weeks. This seems like the perfect solution for two women who have recently had tragic episodes in their love lives.
Iris just found out that the man with whom she has been in love for the past three years is engaged to another woman, and Amanda just discovered her boyfriend is sleeping with his receptionist. Both women feel emotional pain and simply want to get away from everything and everyone. It’s the common fight or flight reaction. In this case they each choose flight. Iris’ “twisted, toxic thing” has her contemplating suicide until the exchange is proposed. And Amanda is earnestly searching for a fast escape out of town.
Because the two simply “vacate” their lives, they are free to be themselves and dump the emotional baggage they are carrying around. It is in their new surroundings that they discover they are not the losers they think they are.
While not at all planning or thinking about new relationships, Iris meets Miles (Jack Black), who is sympathetic, fun, and easy to be with. And Amanda meets Graham (Jude Law), who sweeps her off her feet; although she insists she has both feet firmly on the ground.
Instead of “tears and valium” Iris discovers she is a strong woman with a lot to offer. Befriending her new neighbor Arthur (Eli Wallach), a retired screenwriter with wonderful stories of old Hollywood, Iris pulls him out of his self-induced seclusion and back into life.
Amanda finally finds the heart she thought she lost long ago. Her feelings that she has kept stifled since her father left when she was fifteen suddenly start to simmer then boil. For the first time in a long time, life is really good.
Dustin Hoffman makes a memorable fifteen second cameo in a funny scene in a DVD store. With the wit and charm of all the characters, this story is sweet and fun. The movie is a nice present at the holidays, although it is a bit too long at two hours and sixteen minutes – why can’t directors cut their precious footage? – and it is predictable. However the characters are compelling and enjoyable. They are people we can care about.
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
All pictures ©Sony Pictures. All rights reserved.
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