It's common during the holiday season for people to take out the old favorites from the shelf (or stream on their preferred service), but with breaking out a throwback one always runs the risk of opening their eyes to how dated favorites can become.
The Holiday is one such movie, striking a familiar, nostalgic tone in the hearts of many but also providing a fair share of scenes that would now be considered far more cringe-worthy than they might have been when the film came out. The aspects that make this film a Christmas classic often cut even with those that viewers would rather not see, leaving it up to each viewer to decide whether or not this film ends up on the Christmas must-see list each year.
Problematic: Amanda Punches Ethan
The film doesn't start off on a great note as far as representing healthy relationships go, with Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz, punching her boyfriend in the face when he insults her.
This isn't in self-defense either, but rather a moment that is clearly framed in a way that encourages the viewer to laugh at it, as if it's okay for a partner to abuse the other so long as it's a woman throwing the punches.
Christmas Classic: The Cozy Cottage
One can't deny the comfort that comes with watching anybody do anything in Iris's cozy cottage, located ideally in the English countryside.
It's a wonder Iris doesn't want to spend Christmas there, but a pleasure all the same for her to swap and allow the viewer to watch Amanda enjoy all the festive atmosphere has to offer.
Problematic: The "Leading Lady" Conversation
Iris's friendship with Arthur is just beginning, and quickly sneaking its way into viewers' hearts, when he makes the comment about Iris, played charmingly by Kate Winslet, acting like a "best friend" character in a movie when she should be acting like the leading lady.
It's meant to be a compliment, but the moment loses power because it asserts a toxic valuing of women, implying that those who fit a supposed "best friend" personality shouldn't love themselves just as much as those that men perceive to be "leading ladies".
Christmas Classic: An Unlikely Romance
So many Christmas classics center around romances, and more often than not the satisfaction of the romantic tale lies particularly on the fact that the match is an unlikely one.
In this case, there are two matches, but the one more unlikely than the other might be between Irish and Miles. These characters are very quirky and odd each in their own way, so when they finally come together it's almost a Christmas miracle.
Problematic: Graham's Bad Behavior Goes Unacknowledged
Graham spends the night with Amanda and then the next morning shares that he rarely calls women back, saying this off-handedly as if it's just a personality quality that can't be helped.
When he emphasizes that Amanda is someone he would actually call back, it sends the message that men who treat women badly only do so because they aren't the one, and this is okay--encouraging women to think if they are treated poorly it's because they aren't special enough, like Amanda.
Christmas Classic: An Emphasis On Giving
There's a generosity in the movie that feels very much in the Christmas spirit.
Amanda and Iris switch houses in a flash, choosing to put their trust in one another and hope for the best. Iris offers to help Arthur for no reason but to be of help and to enjoy his companionship. Such instances create a feeling of merriment and goodwill amongst people.
Problematic: Iris Dates Her Boss
So many iconic Christmas movies, such as Love, Actually, feature a romance between the boss and the worker, an issue that mars the joy that could otherwise have been had in the romances.
Iris had a relationship with and then continues to be involved, and manipulated by, her boss. The cruelty of the romance is explored in the film, but the particular issues with her boss having dated her in the first place are not.
Christmas Classic: Humor And Heartbreak
Two key parts of most Christmas movies are humor and heartbreak. The viewers need the downs to appreciate the ups, as with most things in life, and even when one looks at children's Christmas movies heartbreak can be found there, be it romantic or otherwise.
However, the humor and feeling of redemption always lift the spirits and make the holidays feel even more important.
Problematic: Amanda Seduces Graham When He's Wasted
Amanda and Graham meet when Graham stumbles up to her door extremely drunk, not realizing that Iris is no longer at home. This is the moment when Graham should either leave or Amanda should offer to call him a cab if he's unable to go on his own, but instead, she chooses to make a pass at him, knowing that he's completely out of it.
Consent isn't something that's only relevant to women, it's important for everybody--and Amanda hitting on a man who she knows likely won't remember the interaction is very uncomfortable to watch.
Christmas Classic: A Celebration Of Misfits
Holiday films love misfits. Just look at the legendary tale of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer; there's something about a person not fitting in with the crowd that becomes important at Christmas, likely because by the end of the story the misfit is used to reveal just how important community and love for one's neighbor really are.
The characters in The Holiday, especially the lead women, are meant to be somewhat oddities, causing them to run away from their homes for the holidays. But by the end they have found communities that embrace them, as well as, most importantly, acceptance of themselves--and there's nothing quite so Christmasy as that.