OK, before you go any further with this review, here is the recommendation. Watch this towards the end of the day with perhaps one or two aperitfs inside of you in the two week Christmas break and perhaps you will enjoy this guilty pleasure of mine.
Rom-com legend Nancy Meyers (co-writer of the likes of PRIVATE BENJAMIN and FATHER OF THE BRIDE) writes and directs this culture-clash romp, in which sad romantic workaholics, journalist Iris (Kate Winslet, TTIANIC) and LA trailer producer Amanda (Cameron Diaz, THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY) decide to perform a house-swap for the Christmas break. Iris’ infatuation with co-worker Jasper (Rufus Sewell) takes a knock when he gets engaged at the work Christmas do, whilst Amanda has just split up.
The change seems to do both of them a bit of good. Iris meets composer Miles (Jack Black) and helps retired scriptwriter Arthur (Eli Wallach) find purpose again), whilst Amanda is take with Iris’ brother Graham (Jude Law) a widowed single parent of two daughters.
Is it destiny that this is going where it does? Of course – and on balance this is pretty predictable stuff, but as Iris says at one point ‘I like predictable’ – and I do too.
One to be watched at Christmas after a hard day shopping or at work.