The Holiday

[judypatooty]

Well, I finally got around to watching this movie tonight, being that it's near Christmas and all.

All I can say is that every time Jude Law showed up on screen I kept screaming at the TV "Rufus should be playing this part!!!" I actually LIKE Jude Law normally. But not as the romantic lead in this particular film.

Jude and Rufus should have switched parts and then I would have really liked it. As it was, I enjoyed it and it was entertaining. But it's not something I will jump at the chance to watch again.

Rufus as the selfish, self-centered cad. Yawn. Rufus as the nice guy, romantic lead, the good father, the sensitive man who cries at the drop of a hat. That I could get into.

[bee]

I've seen it online and I really liked it.
Normally I don't like these romantic Movies this much;
(but you're totally right Judy - Rufus and Jude should have switched parts), even if he plays a good "bad guy".
I wish that there would be more Rufus in this movie, but nooo.
Anyway - It's a funny and sweet movie. ^O^

[kygal]

Agree with Judy and Bee. Cute movie but needed more Rufus, but dont they all!

[walt]

for those in Germany who may not know The Holiday:

watch ZDF today at 8.15 pm

[kissmekate]

My recorder's running!

[kissmekate]

So, now I've finally managed to actually watch "The Holiday". Somehow there was always some other film to watch preferably or some other thing to do.

It's exactly what it has been called in the beginning of the thread: a nice romantic holiday fluff. Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach were very sweet together, and I also liked Jack Black's scruffy-cuddly character. Cameron Diaz appeared very "American" by comparison, but that was probably how it was meant to be. The trailer sequences about her life were rather funny.

Jude Law did a good job in his role, but I couldn't help thinking the same as most of us: Rufus should have played that part, he'd have made much more of it with his subtle facial expressions and his way with kids (although Law did make a nice dad, too, and yes, the glasses suit him fine - but there really is some "plastic" quality to his looks). Graham and Iris were the most complex characters in the film, so they should have been by the actors most likely to pull that off perfectly.

But however small Rufus's actual part was, he filled out that rather thinly written role to perfection. In the first scene at the office party he appeared very charming, and I could easily see why Iris was unable to detach herself from his spell although he treated her like rubbish, but there was already some underlying smarminess. When he called on her in the US, making that incredible suggestion that he could hang on to Iris and still marry Sarah, he lost all his charm for me. This was probably the first time I really hated his character and was glad when she came to her senses and threw him out.

One thing that never fails to amaze me is how different Rufus manages to look in his different roles, not just by "external" means of hair and clothing but also through posture and facial expression. Sometimes he's hardly recognizable compared to his "normal" friendly and funny self. That's extraordinary talent.

[robela]

Agree with you Kissmekate, Rufus excelled in this small cameo part. Playing the cad whom you couldn'nt help but love but you wanted to smack in the face.

[Tessa]

This morning while I should have done other stuff on my computer, I saw the beginning of The Holiday on You Tube. I have seen this movie before and for the life of me I cannot recall seeing Rufus in it.

Now I know why, because I have never seen that office scène before. The movie I saw started with Cameron Diaz. Still, he’s jerk. (Sorry!!) The story line with Kate in LA and with the older man recalling his work was wonderful, that made the movie for me. When I watch Jude Law in the way Hollywood wants you to see him, I feel like a cradle robber. He looks so boyish! ;D

[zenina]

::)Of course I saw the HOliday also sometime during Christmas New Year - I think it was on TV about 5 times and I managed to catch it on a channel where it wasn't dubbed.

What can I say, I really liked it - Rufus' character was a jerk but still he looked gorgeous. I loved the story of the old man.

The whole film was very "kitschig" - I think that's corny but perfect for a cold winter evening, wrapped up in a warm blanket and with a nice hot drink or a sweet dessert - wait the dessert would be definitely Rufus ;D
And of course I agree with others, Rufus should have played the part of Jude Law - that would have been

[Rousse]

I actually only watched this film because they made parts of it (Kate Winslet's cottage, Cameron Diaz crashing her car) where I used to live, and having seen it in 'real life', I wanted to see how it looked on film! I was a bit disappointed in it though, sadly. I was hoping for a nice, fun romance, maybe Notting Hill quality, but instead I found myself wanted to skip parts. One of the problems I think is that I'm not a huge Jack Black fan. If only they'd given Rufus a bigger part! I did like Jude Law more than usual, although for me his best work is still Enemy at the Gates. Still, Zenina's right, it's a good cold winter evening hot chocolate kind of film.

Oh, and a quick heads up for the Aussies - it's on channel 7 tonight (Fri) at 8.35 So they don't agree about the cold winter evening watching time, maybe they're hoping showing us all the snow will make us feel cooler! ;D

[jd]

Along the line of thought we seem to be following is this Tweet:

"Rufus Sewell reminds me of Jude Law. Ya know, if Jude Law were a man instead if a pretty girl."

I must confess, I cannot take Jude Law seriously because he's just a tad too perfect.

[kissmekate]

Feb 4, 2011 4:56:42 GMT jd said:

"Rufus Sewell reminds me of Jude Law. Ya know, if Jude Law were a man instead if a pretty girl."

That hits the nail on the head

In fact some of Jude's facial expressions reminded me of Rufus and I kept thinking that I wished they had cast the roles the other way round.

[Petruchio - Good God]

I would like to know. on which DVD edition are the "interviews and the Making of" of "The Holiday"

[megagem]

PGG, I don't own The Holiday (yet, but I've seen it many times before and after Rufusitis set in), but I looked up the dvd on amazon, and there is an MO featurette (and commentary) on the region-1 dvd. I don't know if the MO featurette includes Rufus. On the product description, it says that the commentary includes Nancy Meyer "and guests", but I doubt Rufus is a part of that

[walt]

PGG, there's a 2 disc gift edition of "The Holiday" which includes the making of - if I'm not mistaken, there are interviews included in the making of (from universal studios, running time approx 2hrs 10 min - got it probably from amazon).