Last Holiday

Queen Latifah seems to always play roles in meaningful movies, shows, or events, and Last Holiday is no exception. Her part is not identical to her appearance on the Muppets' Wizard of Oz, but the movie will make you laugh and smile all the same.

The Premise

Last Holiday starts off just like a thousand other romantic comedies: Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) is a department store worker who has saved diligently her whole life, and has little to show for her hard work but the respect of her coworkers, a Possibilities scrap book filled with her dreams, and a crush on the department store barbecue salesman, Sean Matthews (LL Cool J).

An in-store accident leaves Georgia with a bump on the head, and a precautionary CAT scan indicates that she has a rare illness and three weeks to live. Her decision to go out with a bang brings her to the hotel Pupp in Czechoslovakia, where she meets the famous Chef Didier (Gerard Depardieu), millionaire Matthew Kragen (Timothy Hutton), and Senator Dillings (Giancarlo Esposito). Her insistence on living in the moment and her absolute honesty have drastic effects on each of them, and each finds their own lesson in her presence.

Where It Stands Out

This film has its share of corny laughs, especially the scenes involving Timothy Hutton, who plays a devilish lunatic, but the real strength in this movie is the sincerity of the storyline. Georgia and Sean come across as good people with honest intentions, and the development of characters in the film (including the tough-on-the-outside floor valet and the kitchen staff) is heartwarming. The direction is consistent, the performances are solid, and the storyline has a bit of an old-school feel to it, as it portrays conservative values that are not as prevalent in movies in 2009.

Last Holiday is a great movie to watch with friends or family, both at Christmas or any other time of the year.

Rating: 8.0/10.0