THE HOLIDAY
Two charming love stories — for discerning adults only.
Should You Watch It?
If you want a polished romantic comedy, THE HOLIDAY delivers. Its two intertwined love stories are carried by charming characters, witty and heartwarming dialogue, and strong performances. Eli Wallach is outstanding as an elderly screenwriter whose story adds comedy, nostalgia, and emotional depth.
The cost is its content. One relationship is based on sex, and the movie contains plenty of mostly light foul language, including one “f” word. It is also set during Christmas without any positive references to Jesus.
Adults who can engage those concerns with discernment may find this a warm, enjoyable date-night movie. Families with children or young teens should choose something else. The practical answer: WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESDuring the Christmas season, Iris in London and Amanda in Los Angeles are both recovering from painful love lives. They meet through an Internet house-swapping site and exchange homes for a vacation.
In their new surroundings, each woman encounters an unexpected romantic possibility. Amanda meets Iris’ handsome brother, Graham, while Iris begins a friendship with Miles, a film composer. Iris also helps Arthur, an elderly screenwriter who is reluctant to accept a special honor from the Writers Guild.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly entertaining romantic comedy, and THE HOLIDAY earns that rating through its charm. Nancy Meyers creates appealing characters, while the leads receive witty, funny lines. The dialogue is often heartwarming without losing its comic touch.
Eli Wallach gives an outstanding performance as Arthur, the elderly screenwriter. His storyline adds comedy and a touch of nostalgia, and the film’s fondness for the great screenwriters of Hollywood’s Golden Age enriches the story.
The main drawback is the film’s 135-minute length. Even so, its warmth, performances, and engaging dialogue make it a strong example of the genre.
The Worldview
THE HOLIDAY presents a mixed worldview. It values romance, friendship, helping others, personal change, and honoring a person’s past work. Iris’ willingness to help Arthur reflects compassion and practical kindness, while the story treats his recognition by the Writers Guild as meaningful.
The film also presents a troubling view of sexual relationships. Amanda and Graham’s relationship is based on sex, and the content section notes implied fornication, talk about fornication, and that a woman lives with a man when the movie opens. The Christmas setting does not lead to any positive references to Jesus, leaving the season’s Christian meaning absent.
The film’s central longing is for love, healing, and a relationship that can overcome distance and heartache. Scripture gives a higher picture of love: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Mixed pagan worldview with pagan elements, Romantic elements and moral elements; one “f” word, two “h” words, two as- words, one “s” word, one use of the word “pric-,” and 19 light profanities, such as “My God!”; light violence when woman punches man twice; implied fornication and talk about fornication, plus woman lives with man when movie opens; upper male nudity in one scene; alcohol use and drunkenness in one scene, and unseen drunkenness on another night is discussed the next morning; no smoking; and, nothing else objectionable.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Iris and Amanda try to escape their heartache by changing homes. When you are hurting, what helps you face pain honestly rather than simply run from it?
Psalm 34:18 · 2 Corinthians 1:3–4Iris helps Arthur regain confidence and accept an honor. What does it look like to notice someone who feels forgotten and offer practical encouragement?
Galatians 6:2 · Hebrews 10:24The movie treats one relationship as based on sex. How does Scripture describe the purpose and boundaries of sexual intimacy?
1 Corinthians 6:18–20 · Hebrews 13:4THE HOLIDAY takes place during Christmas but contains no positive references to Jesus. What makes Christmas more than a seasonal setting?
Luke 2:10–11 · Matthew 1:21The Final Word
THE HOLIDAY is charming, witty, and heartwarming, with excellent performances and two engaging love stories. Its sexual content, foul language, and empty Christmas setting make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.
