---
title: "The Holiday"
year: 2006
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-holiday"
fi1m_id: "the-holiday"
imdb_id: "tt0457939"
tmdb_id: 1581
wikidata_id: "Q478748"
fi1m_score: 64
critics_score: 55
critics_reviews: 10
published: "2026-10-05T04:50:26.428544+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T04:50:40.360430+00:00"
region: "AZ"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Holiday (2006)

Directed by Nancy Meyers · 2h 16m · Comedy, Romance

## Identity

The Holiday

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-holiday
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-holiday
- **IMDb ID:** tt0457939
- **TMDB ID:** 1581
- **Wikidata ID:** Q478748
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457939/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1581, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q478748

**Fi1m score: 64** · Critics 55 from 10 reviews

*In a sentence:* We would have traded a little romance for rather more Eli Wallach

> *The Holiday* is agreeable Christmas escapism, with Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach supplying the warmth its romantic plotting sometimes lacks. Nancy Meyers gives the actors room to charm us, then rather too much time to keep doing it.

## Synopsis

Amanda (Cameron Diaz), Iris (Kate Winslet), Graham (Jude Law) and Miles (Jack Black) are at the centre of this Christmas romantic comedy. Nancy Meyers writes and directs, with Eli Wallach as Arthur, Edward Burns as Ethan and Rufus Sewell as Jasper. Its Christmas Eve invitation is to celebrate being young and alive. Sophie (Miffy Englefield), Olivia (Emma Pritchard), Hannah (Sarah Parish), Maggie (Shannyn Sossamon) and Ernie (Bill Macy) also appear. The film runs 136 minutes and carries a 12A certificate.

## Review

Nancy Meyers gives *The Holiday* a simple task: make Christmas heartbreak bearable in the company of attractive, funny people. The result is a pleasant romantic comedy with enough warmth to justify its formula, provided patience is part of the evening’s plan. At 136 minutes, it asks the cast to sustain considerably more charm than the story needs. We enjoyed the company, though we kept wishing the film would trust a good moment enough to leave it alone.

Kate Winslet gives Iris a vulnerability that makes the familiar romantic disappointments matter. We were moved by her exchanges with Eli Wallach as Arthur: their affection feels less forced than much of the surrounding romance. There is pleasure in seeing two performers make conversation worth the time it takes. Their scenes also expose how insistently the rest of the screenplay explains emotions the actors could have conveyed without assistance.

Jack Black is appealingly restrained as Miles, letting his charm emerge without treating every pause as an invitation to perform. The chemistry with Kate Winslet gives their scenes an ease that the writing does not always earn. Yet there is a limit to how long a romantic part can remain interesting on charm alone, and Nancy Meyers stretches this one. His restraint remains one of the film’s more agreeable choices.

Cameron Diaz and Jude Law bring assurance to Amanda and Graham, and the cast is never the chief difficulty. The writing repeatedly makes heartbreak tidy enough to be dealt with through a reassuring conversation. For a while, that kindness is welcome; then the predictable plotting and polished dialogue begin to make the characters seem overprotected. Nancy Meyers leaves them too little room to be difficult or surprising. The knowing jokes about film storytelling help, until the dialogue starts to sound like a lecture.

The attractive finish owes much to Dean Cundey’s cinematography and Jon Hutman’s production design. Their work makes spending time with these people appealing even when the conversation ceases to surprise us. We need not demand realism from a Christmas comedy, but such careful prettiness can make distress feel like a brief inconvenience. When the performers let a little awkwardness through, the film becomes easier to believe.

Joe Hutshing’s editing gives the performers space, but too many scenes continue after their emotional point has registered. The leisurely pace helps the quieter exchanges and does the more explanatory dialogue no favours. Hans Zimmer’s music contributes to the prevailing reassurance, although the film scarcely needs further encouragement to be tender. A firmer cut would have preserved the warmth while asking less of the cast, particularly when the screenplay has already made its meaning clear.

Romantic comedy does not need to surprise us at every turn, but it does need to make the time between its expected moments enjoyable. Here, the performances keep the film agreeable without quite overcoming the length or the softened treatment of hurt. It is a reasonable choice for committed Christmas romantics, with a substantial caveat about the running time. Save it for an evening when nobody needs an early night.

*Fi1m score 64, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards a mixed verdict: The Holiday offers polished romantic escapism, but its charm only partly offsets the familiar formula. Praise centres on the performances, particularly Kate Winslet’s vulnerability, her exchanges with Eli Wallach, and the chemistry between Winslet and Jack Black. Several critics find enough warmth and glossy appeal to enjoy the romance despite its sentimentality, while others see the cast as the main reason to stay with it.

Reservations cluster around predictability, excessive sweetness and characters whose behaviour feels contrived; length and self-satisfied Hollywood commentary also draw complaints. Black divides opinion, with his restraint winning praise in one review while his singing and the size of his role trouble others. The sharpest disagreement concerns emotional credibility: Eye for Film praises natural dialogue and heartfelt chemistry, whereas The AV Club finds the dialogue artificial and the characters unconvincing despite the cast’s efforts.

## Straight answers

**Is The Holiday worth watching?**

*The Holiday* is worth watching for committed Christmas romantics who can forgive predictable plotting and a leisurely pace; we score it 64 out of 100. Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach provide the most affecting warmth, but at 136 minutes the film spends too long explaining feelings its cast already makes clear.

**How long is The Holiday, and what is it rated?**

*The Holiday* runs 2h 16m. It is a comedy and romance film.

**Where can I watch The Holiday in Azerbaijan?**

*The Holiday* is not on any streaming or rental service in Azerbaijan at the moment. It is available in 52 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is The Holiday, and is it suitable for children?**

*The Holiday* carries a UK 12A certificate, so children under 12 need an accompanying adult at the cinema, and it should not be treated as suitable for every younger child. We cannot give a specific warning about violence or scares from the details available; the certificate is the clearest guide to suitability.

**How does The Holiday compare to The Apartment?**

*The Holiday* offers gentler Christmas escapism than [*The Apartment*](https://film.one/film/the-apartment), which we recommend as the sharper romantic comedy and the better choice for humour that gives loneliness its proper weight. Both allow scenes more time than they need, but *The Holiday* repeatedly softens heartbreak with reassurance, while *The Apartment* makes its characters’ unhappiness matter.

**What should I watch after The Holiday?**

After *The Holiday*, try [*The Apartment*](https://film.one/film/the-apartment) (1960, Fi1m 91): For a sharper romantic comedy that gives loneliness its proper weight. Then [*Enchanted April*](https://film.one/film/enchanted-april) (1991, Fi1m 65): For another escape from routine, with friendship given room beside romance; and [*The Lunchbox*](https://film.one/film/the-lunchbox) (2013, Fi1m 75): For tentative affection conveyed through small gestures rather than romantic speeches.

### Reviews we read (10)

- **Screen Daily**, Mike Goodridge (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review, but the critic’s verdict is inaccessible. The available text provides no praise or complaint to single out. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/the-holiday/4029804.article)
- **Time Out**, Anna Smith (64/100, inferred): The available standfirst compares the film to Love Actually but does not reveal the critic’s overall verdict. It suggests the comparison may not appeal to everyone, but provides no specific praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-holiday-1)
- **Radio Times**, Ifra Khan (3/5): Khan finds the film sugar-dusted escapism, though it papers over the messier truths of heartbreak. She singles out Kate Winslet’s quiet vulnerability as the film’s emotional core. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-f04k4r/the-holiday-watch-stream-online/)
- **Total Film**, Total Film (3/5): The review finds the film mushy and formulaic, but polished enough to have glossy allure. It singles out Jack Black’s restrained, charming performance as a saving grace. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-holiday-review/)
- **Variety**, Justin Chang (60/100, inferred): Chang finds the film generally pleasing but overlong, predictable, and less clever than it thinks it is. He singles out the charming exchanges between Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach, while noting that Jack Black’s role feels overstretched. [Read](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/the-holiday-1200511718/)
- **Empire**, William Thomas (55/100, inferred): Thomas finds the glossy romantic comedy cute and skilfully performed, but thinks its target-audience appeal is obvious. He praises its knowing jokes about movie narratives, while objecting to its sermons about Hollywood. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/holiday-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (2/4): Schager finds the film contrived and overly saccharine, with dull characters and implausible situations. He praises the credible chemistry between Kate Winslet and Jack Black, while criticizing Black’s improvised singing. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-holiday/)
- **The AV Club**, Scott Tobias (D): Tobias pans the film as synthetic and emotionally lifeless. He singles out its artificial dialogue and says the cast cannot make the characters feel authentic. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-holiday-1798202230)
- **The Guardian** (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the romantic comedy short on wit and insight, despite its promising premise. Eli Wallach’s performance is singled out as the film’s considerable redeeming feature. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Observer_review/0,,1968443,00.html)
- **Eye for Film**, Chris (75/100, inferred): The critic calls it a warm, shallow but well-made seasonal romance that succeeds within its formula. They praise the natural dialogue and heartfelt chemistry among the leading cast. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-holiday-film-review-by-chris)

## Details

- **Director:** Nancy Meyers
- **Director:** Nancy Meyers
- **Writer:** Nancy Meyers
- **Cinematography:** Dean Cundey
- **Editor:** Joe Hutshing
- **Music:** Hans Zimmer
- **Production design:** Jon Hutman
- **Costume design:** Marlene Stewart
- **Producer:** Bruce A. Block, Nancy Meyers
- **Cast:** Cameron Diaz as Amanda; Kate Winslet as Iris; Jude Law as Graham; Jack Black as Miles; Eli Wallach as Arthur; Edward Burns as Ethan; Rufus Sewell as Jasper; Miffy Englefield as Sophie
- **Runtime:** 2h 16m
- **First release (the US):** 29 November 2006
- **Genres:** Comedy, Romance
- **Budget:** $85 million
- **Box office:** $205 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk9caHO3pW0

## Where to watch in Azerbaijan

Not streaming, renting or buying in Azerbaijan at the last check.

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Apartment* (1960), Fi1m 91: For a sharper romantic comedy that gives loneliness its proper weight — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-apartment.md)
- *Christmas in Connecticut* (1945): For festive romantic confusion with rather more briskness about the business
- *Enchanted April* (1991), Fi1m 65: For another escape from routine, with friendship given room beside romance — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/enchanted-april.md)
- *The Lunchbox* (2013), Fi1m 75: For tentative affection conveyed through small gestures rather than romantic speeches — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-lunchbox.md)
- *Enough Said* (2013): For awkward conversations and adults allowed to be uncertain about each other

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-holiday