Summary:
I chose to analyze the movie The
Holiday to see it if it passes the Bechdel test. In my findings, The Holiday
does proceed to do so. The 2006 movie starring Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Kate
Winslet, and Jude Law is focused on two women who over the holiday break decide
to switch houses. They switch houses primarily because both feel they need a
break after one has broken up with her cheating boyfriend, and the other after
finding out the ex she is still in love with is now engaged to another
woman. As the two women switch temporary
roles they ironically meet new significant others that are each part of the two
women’s lives.
The two women in this film names were
Iris and Amanda. Although the Bechdel test was passed the two women were only
in correspondence when arranging their stay at one another’s house. Throughout
the film, other than that correspondence, they were only communicating
indirectly as both reached out to the friends that Iris and Amanda got to know
through each other switching places. It wasn’t until the end of the movie where
Amanda and Iris were found chatting together as they all were reunited with
their new connections and it was then that the movie ended and music took over.
Before Amanda and Iris found their new romance in each others friends, Amanda
was a successful movie editor she was depicted as “unemotional” and distant as
she would shut significant others out. Iris on the other hand, is depicted as a
British writer who is heartbroken as she is still in love with her ex whom she
can’t seem to get over.
I don’t believe this film is a feminist
film as it ends in a typical romance however, I don’t think the women were
depicted wrongfully and in many ways both withheld success within their jobs
and both seemed to be financially secure. The relationships developed were
surprisingly natural and both started out in friendships. Overall I don’t think
this film is feminist but I also don’t find it to be offensive or a typical
love story.
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