A Terrible “Holiday”

And this is why I loves me some Netflix:  even though I’m still paying to rent bad movies, it doesn’t feel the same as actually paying per bad movie.  So when I spend an evening watching a bad movie that came to me in the post, the idea of putting it back in the post and returning it immediately somehow makes me feel better.  And maybe the next one will be better.

Case in point: The Holiday.  This had the makings of a good film.  Cute premise.  Beautiful cast (even though I personally think that Cameron Diaz couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag).  And it wasn’t just not good.  It was bad.  And not even "funny to watch because you can laugh at it" bad.  Painfully bad.

And where to begin?  I’ve already mentioned Cameron Diaz’ woeful acting ability.  She stretched all three emotions that she can portray in this film.  And yes, there was the requisite "watch Cameron Diaz do a little happy dance" in the movie.  Horrendous. 

Then there was Jude Law.  Hot for sure.  But did someone tell him that they were actually filming this?  He might have paid more attention.  Not to mention that I was having a hard time with the idea of him being devoted to just one woman…

Jack Black?  As a romantic lead?  Um, it could happen.  If he actually had a character to play in the movie.

And finally, Kate Winslet.  Fabulous Kate Winslet.  I usually think that she makes good choices.  Did she read this script?  Did she owe someone a favor?  Is she in financial trouble?  I sincerely hope that she rang her agent after this movie came out and gave him or her a what for.  What was she thinking?

And speaking of what were they thinking… the cameo with Dustin Hoffman?  Was that supposed to be longer?  Cause I didn’t get it.  Not funny.  And it didn’t fit at all.  Talked about your awkward, forced moments.

The whole movie gave me the feeling that I accidentally showed up at the wrong house for dinner, but I didn’t leave because I thought sooner or later, someone would figure it out and tell me where I was really supposed to be.  Only that never happened.  I was forced to sit, eat liver and onions, drink Hungarian wine (sorry, Hungary) and talk to people that I didn’t know.

That last imagery?  How it was forced and didn’t make sense?  Yeah, that was this movie.