I love movies. I love most kinds except really gory violent ones and scifi. And I do love me a good chick flick. My mom and I have pretty similar taste in movies - I would say that I like more arty films than she does but we usually agree on chick flicks (why she didn't believe me when I told her "Nights in Rodanthe" was dreadful, I will never understand) but when my mom told me I had to see "The Holiday" - I knew she was right. I mean...COME ON! My girl crush Kate Winslet. Jude Law saying the name Amanda in both romantic and erotic ways? It's pure bliss.
What I didn't expect was for it to be so germane to my life at the time when I saw it. I felt like I was a mix of both the female leads...Amanda's relationship and Iris's relationship coupled with Iris's self-confidence issues. She utters the line "You're supposed to be the leading lady in your own life, for God's sake". I haven't watched this movie for ages and last night I did -- and that line hit me again like a ton of bricks.
I adore this scene...(thank you IMDB!)
Jasper: You know what I was thinking? When you get back to London, maybe we could sneak off somewhere together. Maybe Venice. You and me in Venice could be good.
Iris: Do you mean that? I mean, are you free to do that?
Jasper: Darling, I've just traveled halfway across the world to see you, haven't I?
Iris: [Iris & Jasper almost kiss before Iris pulls away] Yeah, that doesn't exactly answer my question. So, are you not with Sarah anymore? I mean, is that what you've come here to tell me?
Jasper: I wish you could just accept knowing how confused I am about all this.
Iris: Okay, let me translate that. So, you are still engaged to be married?
Jasper: Yes, but, I mean...
Iris: Oh, my God.
[Iris gets up from the couch]
Iris: This was a really close call. You know, I never really though I'd say this, literally never, but I think you were absolutely right about us. Very square peg, very round hole.
Jasper: You cannot mean that.
Iris: The great thing is I actually do. And I'm about three years late in telling you this, but nevertheless I need to say it. Jasper. Wait, I need the lights on. Jasper, you have never treated me right. Ever.
Jasper: Oh, babe.
Iris: Shush. You broke my heart. And you acted like somehow it was my fault, my misunderstanding, and I was too in love with you to ever be mad at you, so I just punished myself! For years! But you waltzing in here on my lovely Christmas holiday, and telling me that you don't want to lose me whilst you're about to get MARRIED, somehow newly entitles me to say, it's over. This - This twisted, toxic THING between us, is finally finished! I'm miraculously done being in love with you! Ha! I've got a life to start living.
[Picks up Jasper's jacket, walking to the door]
Iris: And you're not going to be in it.
Jasper: Darling.
Iris: Now I've got somewhere really important to be, and you have got to get the hell out.
[Opens the door]
Iris: Now!
Jasper: What exactly has got into you?
Iris: I don't know.
[Pushes Jasper out the door]
Iris: But I think what I've got is something slightly resembling, gumption.
[Slams door shut in Jasper's face. Lifts hands up and screams with joy]
Here's a question for anyone reading -- how do you show up in your life as the leading lady?
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