in

Brokenhearted or Alone? Take 1 Dose of The Holiday

Where to start when talking about the cinematic gift to society that is, The Holiday. This movie is the swiss army knife of romantic comedies. It’s a perfect pick if you want to cry, laugh, wallow, are clinically alone, or if you just want to watch a rom-com with your boyfriend. It’s got a little something for everyone! I love this movie no matter what mood I am in, but The Holiday comes in handy the most when being forever alone is such a real and believable feeling, that it makes my heart actually hurt. If any of you find this notion of being perpetually single to be all too familiar, trust me, this film is like a fast acting medication for heartache.

Within the first 5 minutes of The Holiday, Kate Winslet’s character, Iris, gives one of the greatest speeches of all time about being on the losing side of unrequited love. If you’re not familiar with the wonderful adventure that is loving someone who does not love you back, don’t worry. Iris’ words also apply to those who have a crush on someone who doesn’t know they exist, for those who have been unexpectedly broken up with, or basically anyone who knows what it feels like to be the more invested person in a relationship. The speech is absolutely heartbreaking to hear, and partnered with music from Hans Zimmer, it will ruin you the first time you listen to it.

Then, right when you find yourself emotionally stable enough to enjoy the rest of the movie. IRIS HITS YOU WITH ANOTHER TRAGICALLY RELATABLE SPEECH! Damn you Nancy Meyers, you gem of a human being. 

Iris attempts to help Jack Black’s character understand that she has been in his exact predicament he is in (being with someone who isn’t good for you), and she comes at the audience with this verbal punch to the feels.

“I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn’t know you had inside you. And it doesn’t matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends… you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood.”

I mean, come on now.

If you read that quote and are thinking, Jesus that’s depressing, I’m so glad I have never been in that situation. Then count your lucky stars, because it is one of the worst places to be. It’s emotionally draining to be so hung up on a situation that will never change, no matter what you do. Not to mention the physical exhaustion that comes from training your mind to stop thinking he will realize his mistakes and come back. Iris just gets it, and no matter if it’s in a movie or in real life, there is comfort in knowing someone else shares your struggles and thoughts. 

At this point I am probably making The Holiday seem like a super upsetting movie that will make you feel more alone and pathetic. But alas! There is still happiness and hope that await! I won’t give you a full synopsis and spoil it for those who haven’t seen it yet, so I’ll just use words to illustrate this movies magnificence! Hollywood, snow, travel, gorgeous homes, warm color pallets, English accents, struggle, triumph, love, loss, Kate, Winslet, Jude, Law, Cameron, Diaz, Jack, Black..who will never be more adorable than he is in this role. For every down moment, there is one that lifts you right back up. I know I mentioned the music once already, but THE MUSIC! These scores are literally guides through the storyline. You know exactly what emotions are happening just from the sweeping piano melodies and beautiful violin harmonies. No one can do that better than Zimmer. 

I think the films that people care about the most are the ones where they can see a bit of themselves in the story. Every time you and your friends quote a line from a movie because it’s relatable, or say that a character is your spirit animal; it is the greatest achievement a writer can hope for. To have created a story that means so much to an audience that they carry it with them into their daily lives. That’s exactly what The Holiday does. It raises your spirits in good times and comforts you in bad. It is like a chocolate molten lava cake with an iced peppermint mocha. Warm, inviting, enchanting, and Christmasy. And when your love life is suffering, what more can you ask for than that?