Two women (Kate Winslet & Cameron Diaz) troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other’s countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love. (imdb.com)

The Holiday starring Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jack Black is your cutesy, predictable holiday film that’s meant to be just sweet and romantic, not surprising and great. It is sweet and romantic, not surprising, not great. Actually, the film has a similar plot to a Maeve Binchy book I read last year. The film is not based on the book, but the book, I must say, is better.

The Holiday is about two women swapping homes (one in Surrey England, one in Los Angeles) to escape their romantic lives only to find romance in their new surroundings. Diaz pairs up with Law and Winslet with Black. Despite their obvious physical mismatch, Winslet and Black made convinving suitors…sort of. Diaz and Law, being both very “pretty” made obvious suitors. Nonetheless, both Winslet’s and Diaz’s performances were lopsided. Perhaps too good of a dramatic actress, her emotional scenes seemed too good and strong for the lower calibur film. Nonetheless, as always she was a pleasure to watch in this film. Ms. Diaz on the other hand, as always, was not a pleasure to watch. She’s a mediocre actress with a pretty face who gets to act along side much better talent, probably because she has such a pretty face.

Jack Black was solid and endearing as Winslet’s love interest. Never being too funny or unconvincing. Fun and funny. And, oh Jude! Law is just bloody beautiful. Great acting, hot and endearing as always. Quite convincing as a single dad looking for love, yadda, yadda. Anyway, let me stop drooling before I drown.

I’d say this would make a great first date film, or a great Friday night rental with the girls.

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