Holiday Streams: Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday is hands down the best Christmas movie

Hollywood has often shown that if you are single, the holiday season is the time when you feel the most single. Over the years, Nancy Meyers has given singles comfort and hope that they will find their partner just around Christmas and ring in the New Year together. Be it What Women Want (2000), Something's Gotta Give (2003), The Holiday (2006) or It's Complicated (2009), every movie gives an urge to have that warm and fuzzy feeling from a partner.

In The Holiday, two women exchange addresses only to discover that a change of address can change their lives. Iris (Kate Winslet) has feelings for a man who is about to marry another woman. From afar, Amanda (Cameron Diaz) discovers that the man she lives with has been unfaithful from afar. Two women who have never met and live 6,000 miles apart find themselves in the same location. They meet online at a home exchange website and decide to switch homes for the holiday on the spur of the moment.

As Amanda arrives in the snow-covered English countryside, Iris moves into Amanda's LA house in sunny California. Shortly after arriving at their respective destinations, both women discover the last thing they want or expect: a new romance. Amanda is captivated by Iris' handsome brother Graham (Jude Law), and Iris, with the help of legendary screenwriter Arthur (Eli Wallach), mends her heart when she meets film composer Miles (Jack Black).

While watching The Holiday for the first time, the film stayed with me for such a long time that I made a point of revisiting it every few months, or once a year at least. But every time I do so, I find so many questionable sequences, but how can fiction be questioned?

Firstly, aah, the desperation and instant trust one gets to switch houses with someone who stays thousands of miles away from each other. Both Iris and Amanda go through heartbreak at the same time in totally different situations, and not just get out of their houses, but their respective countries too.

Without going very Bollywood-ish, they don't fall for each other's ex-partners, but they find someone new and in the cheesiest setup. Well, I give Meyers for that part, as it's shown beautifully, despite Winslet and Black being misfits for each other. Moreover, their love story starts haphazardly, which feels much more believable, but maybe, eventually, they were meant to be together. But individually, they are both such gorgeous actors, and the character arcs given to both are the chef's kiss.

Coming to Diaz and Law as Amanda and Graham, they are one delish couple who no one must have thought would make for a great pairing back in 2006. Apart from My Best Friend's Wedding, Diaz is someone who is remembered for being a "sex symbol" by many. Her most recognizable roles in that aspect are There's Something About Mary, The Mask, Bad Teacher, Sex Tape, and Charlie's Angels. The Holiday is one of those movies that brought out the 'actor' side of Diaz and did full justice to her skill set.

Her character is shown as an independent and successful woman who is tired of her cheating boyfriend, Ethan (Edward Burns). Amanda eventually learns why he is with her, how he cannot handle her independence and her being the alpha in the relationship.

And Law... aww, he is the "weeper" in the film, who, once he puts on his spectacles, is ready to break hearts. But if snuggled inside a tent or turned into Mr Napkin Head, he is the man you would want to spend your whole life with. It comes as good suspense that Graham, as someone who looks like a womaniser, is a widower and a father to two toddler girls.

Amanda and Graham’s love story is so much more relatable as someone who doesn't wish to get into a long-distance relationship just after finally finding someone who understands you like no one else.

But you know who is the best part of The Holiday? It's hands-down the legendary actor Eli Wallach as Arthur Abbot. His camaraderie with Winslet's character is a treat to watch, and this relationship takes the cake in the entire film. He introduced me to the word "gumption”, which, among the many other things that this movie has given me, has stayed with me for a long time. And in some or other ways, that kickass word summed up the character traits of both Iris and Amanda in the film.

On top of that, both the houses featured in the film have their charm. Iris' Rosehill Cottage is just as poetic as she describes it in her ad: "Snuggle up by an old stone fireplace and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa." Amanda's mansion is as practical as she is and very much belongs to the elite club of LA. They both get culture shock upon visiting each other's abodes but eventually grow to love them. However, the reactions are opposite and give a glimpse into their lifestyles, which are poles apart.

The Holiday has its flaws, but which movie doesn't? Barring a few moments that don't make the movie a bore or drag, the film is a must-watch and should be on your list during the holiday season. And you have outstanding and hauntingly beautiful music by Hans Zimmer. What more do you want?

Every time Netflix pulls it off, I wait patiently for it to make a comeback. Thankfully, for the past year, the streaming platform has kept The Holiday with them, and I hope it just stays there forever.