Iris is in love with a man who is about to marry another woman. Across the globe, Amanda, realizes the man she lives with has been unfaithful. Two women who have never met and live 6000 miles apart, find themselves in the exact same place. They meet online at a home exchange website and impulsively switch homes for the holiday. Iris moves into Amanda’s L.A. house in sunny California as Amanda arrives in the snow covered English countryside. Shortly after arriving at their destinations, both women find the last thing either wants or expects: a new romance. Amanda is charmed by Iris’ handsome brother Graham and Iris, with inspiration provided by legendary screenwriter Arthur, mends her heart when she meets film composer Miles.

Movie quotes

Amanda: “I need some peace and quiet… or whatever it is people go away for.”

Amanda: “You know Graham, I just broke up with someone and considering you just showed up and you’re insanely good-looking and probably won’t remember me anyway… I’m thinking we should have sex… If you want.”
Graham: “Is that a trick question?”

Amanda: “Sex makes everything more complicated. Even not having it because the not having it makes it complicated.”

Amanda: “Are you D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D?”
Graham: “No I’m W-I-D-O-W-E-D.”

Graham: “Long distance relationships can work, you know.”
Amanda: “Really? I can’t make one work when I live in the same house with someone.”

Production notes

Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) runs a thriving L.A. marketing business, but is less successful when it comes to romance. “Her most recent break-up has caught her totally off-guard,” says Diaz. “She decides she has to get away — and that getting some distance may help her cope better.”

“When Amanda meets Graham she is attempting to relax and refocus her life,” says Diaz. “And suddenly, she finds herself falling in love, something she truly didn’t expect to happen again so quickly.”

On co-starring with another one of Hollywood’s leading actresses Diaz says “To me, Kate embodies the empowerment women have achieved over time. She is self-possessed and connected to her strenghts and forgiving of her weaknesses. I think she is an excellent example of a modern woman. And she’s hilarious! Funny! Funny! Funny! She’s a good time, that Kate, a girl’s girl. I think all of these qualities make her shine and give her the beauty that we all love to watch on film.”

“Cameron is a real comedienne and one of the great rewards of working with her is how much she makes me laugh,” says Meyers. “She is great with dialogue and is really adept at physical humor. She sometimes reminded me of Goldie Hawn, whom I love. She has very similar comedic instincts.” (Hawn notably starred in one of Meyers’ earlier successes Private Benjamin).

For her co-star, Law, working with Diaz was pure delig ht. “Cameron is like having the sun on set every day,” he beams. “She understands the world of this kind of film so well. I learned a great deal just by watching her.”

Meyers cast Amanda and Iris’ ex-boyfriends with similar care, honing in on Edward Burns for Ethan and Rufus Sewell for Jasper. Interestingly, Burns had previously directed and starred opposite Diaz in the romantic comedy She’s the One. In The Holiday, their relationship is far less cordial, however, “Cameron gets to punch me twice,” Burns laughs. “I guess you have to be in really good shape to do a romantic comedy.”

Diaz admits that she was in rare fighting form for her scenes with Burns. “I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun playing a break-up,” she says. “Eddie was perfect as Ethan – dry and deadpan. I didn’t want our scene to end. But Ethan deserved to be punched in the face. His actions were beyond questionable. They needed to be called out. And, believe me, I called him out.”

Diaz enjoyed the opportunity to work with Law in a change of pace role for him. “We’re used to seeing Jude’s more dramatic side and, even here, he brings a certain weight to Graham. But he also brings great humor. He is so funny and completely charming.”

Costume designer Marlene Stewart also found an excellent collaborator in Diaz. “Cameron loves to experiment with clothes and try a lot of things on,” says Stewart. “Her character typifies the confident working woman of today, so her look is feminine, self-assured, sexy. Clothing in contemporary movies set in L.A. can be very youth-oriented, but we went with a more classic feeling. We used quite a few fabulous pieces – Dior, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Narciso Rodriguez, and Dolce & Gabbana.”

Awards and nominations

Nominated – ALMA Awards – Outstanding Actress
Nominated – MTV Movie Award – Best Kiss (shared with Jude Law)
Nominated РNRJ Cin̩ Award РBest Kiss (shared with Jude Law)
Nominated – Teen Choice Award – Choice Hissy Fit