Last Holiday (PG-13)

Formulaic but sometimes winning comedy.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Pictures
  • Directed By: Wayne Wang
  • Cast: Queen Latifah, Alicia Witt, LL Cool J
  • Running Time: 112 minutes
  • Release Date: 01/13/2006
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 05/02/2006
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: for some sexual reference.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film includes comedic references to a terminal illness and some nonexplicit but perhaps mildly worrisome scenes of medical examination (loud machines, doctor's bad news, lack of health insurance). Characters allude to sexual desire and appearances (references to "going down," "ass," "booty," and breasts; soundtrack songs include "Let's Get It On"); women wear swimsuits, towels, and cleavage-revealing clothing; some brief kissing. A couple of characters smoke (cigar and cigarette) and multiple characters drink, one to the point of despairing intoxication, whereupon he sits on a building ledge while others worry he will jump. Characters are deceitful and selfish. Sports activities (snowboarding, base jumping) involve some antic violence. Some profanity.

Families can talk about Georgia's decision to pursue her dreams -- only after she believes she is about to die. How does she "teach" others who are focused on material success, greed, and reputations to reconsider priorities?

Message

Social Behavior:

Lessons learned: greedy executives and politicians learn to be "better people" by listening to big-hearted Georgia.

Consumerism:

Emeril on TV and in cameo, Lean Cusine, Travelocity.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Drinking with dinners, and on New Year's Eve, one character becomes drunk and depressed; minor smoking by background characters.

Violence

Some winter sports result in crashes and bumps.

Sex

Breif, mostly comic references to sexual activity ("going down"), desire, and body parts ("booty," "ass"), some kissing, some bodies barely exposed in massage and sauna scenes.

Language

One use of "motherf---," "damn," "hell," "ass."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cynthia Fuchs

In LAST HOLIDAY, Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) sings in her church choir and sells cookware at a department store. An aspiring chef, she also dreams of marrying a handsome coworker Sean (LL Cool J). It takes a dreadful misunderstanding to drive Georgia to act on her desires. Following a clunk on the head at work, a doctor tells her that she has only weeks to live. She quits the job and cleans out her savings for a trip to a European resort village where she stays at the Hotel Pupp and impresses the magnificent Chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu) with her grand appetite. She also affects various unhappy hotel guests and staff. Senator Dillings (Giancarlo Esposito) needs to get back in touch with his public mission. Ms. Burns (Alicia Witt) works for and sleeps with self-absorbed executive Kragen (Timothy Hutton), who believes Georgia is a business competitor. And imperious hotel valet Ms. Gunther (Susan Kellermann) first perceives Georgia as the enemy.

Is it any good?

3
Wayne Wang's remake of the 1950 Alec Guinness film is a mostly generic romantic comedy, buoyed by the amazing Queen Latifah. The film offers a rudimentary class critique in working-class Georgia's boisterous reeducation of the hoity-toity types. She does this by thoughtful listening and also by doing, enthusiastically taking up snowboarding, gambling, base jumping, and cooking with Chef Didier.

But this comfort-foodish film can't get out from under its burden of clichés. As she gains increased clout (maybe her new Hollywood star counts for something), perhaps the Queen can angle for work that's challenging and rewarding for all her subjects.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 11 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/27/08 by Chrissy 505 Kid contributor, age 12

very cute

I loved this movie. Not only does it have some good laughs it's a great family film. It's one of my favorite movies ever and I recommend it to anyone over nine years old. My favorite part is at the end when they tell what happens after the movie ends; it shows stuff like Georgia and Sean get married sky diving or when Georgia's old boss gets run over by a buss while chatting away on his cell phone. I love this movie!!!
4


Posted on 12/29/07 by dancingwithmyself Kid contributor, age 13

Happy movie......for the holidays

I really liked this movie because it was really heartwarming and happy. Queen Latifah fits perfectly in this role. Funny, sweet, charming, quite romantic. Recommended for 11+. ------younger children might get bored or not get the point of the film.
5


Posted on 05/27/07 by moviebuff11 Kid contributor, age 12
4


Posted on 02/11/07 by re Kid contributor, age 10
3


Posted on 11/19/06 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 13

Good

Last Holiday is a nice feel good romantic comedy about living life to the fullest- it's a predicable but entertaining movie. Queen Latifah is great as usual. There is very little for parents to object to here, it's pretty mild for a PG-13.
4


Posted on 11/03/06 by Rachel D Adult contributor

Cute, feel good comedy

This was really enjoyable. The premise is a deep subject, what would you do if you thought you were dying... Some good messages and pretty clean overall.
5


Posted on 08/04/06 by suitelife Kid contributor, age 12
4


Posted on 05/06/06 by purplecatroo Kid contributor, age 13

It gets an A.

Good movie that makes you feel good. The oly problem was that the ending was unlogical. Still great for teens and maby pre-teens.
4


Posted on 04/19/06 by FashionDiva0569 Kid contributor, age 11

hilarious

it was so funny can't wait till it comes out so i can laugh over and over again,also a great romantic comedy and safe for the whole family. though their is some profanity and the f word is used once.i still love it and will recommend this movie to anyone in need of a good laugh or adventure
3


Posted on 03/21/06 by bethlthomson Adult contributor

laughing movie

this is a great movie to go see she is great & funny.

See all 11 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

4


Posted on 11/03/06 by Rachel D Adult contributor

Cute, feel good comedy

This was really enjoyable. The premise is a deep subject, what would you do if you thought you were dying... Some good messages and pretty clean overall.
3


Posted on 03/21/06 by bethlthomson Adult contributor

laughing movie

this is a great movie to go see she is great & funny.

Kids Reviews

There are 9 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/27/08 by Chrissy 505 Kid contributor, age 12

very cute

I loved this movie. Not only does it have some good laughs it's a great family film. It's one of my favorite movies ever and I recommend it to anyone over nine years old. My favorite part is at the end when they tell what happens after the movie ends; it shows stuff like Georgia and Sean get married sky diving or when Georgia's old boss gets run over by a buss while chatting away on his cell phone. I love this movie!!!
4


Posted on 12/29/07 by dancingwithmyself Kid contributor, age 13

Happy movie......for the holidays

I really liked this movie because it was really heartwarming and happy. Queen Latifah fits perfectly in this role. Funny, sweet, charming, quite romantic. Recommended for 11+. ------younger children might get bored or not get the point of the film.
5


Posted on 05/27/07 by moviebuff11 Kid contributor, age 12
4


Posted on 02/11/07 by re Kid contributor, age 10
3


Posted on 11/19/06 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 13

Good

Last Holiday is a nice feel good romantic comedy about living life to the fullest- it's a predicable but entertaining movie. Queen Latifah is great as usual. There is very little for parents to object to here, it's pretty mild for a PG-13.
5


Posted on 08/04/06 by suitelife Kid contributor, age 12
4


Posted on 05/06/06 by purplecatroo Kid contributor, age 13

It gets an A.

Good movie that makes you feel good. The oly problem was that the ending was unlogical. Still great for teens and maby pre-teens.
4


Posted on 04/19/06 by FashionDiva0569 Kid contributor, age 11

hilarious

it was so funny can't wait till it comes out so i can laugh over and over again,also a great romantic comedy and safe for the whole family. though their is some profanity and the f word is used once.i still love it and will recommend this movie to anyone in need of a good laugh or adventure
4


Posted on 01/17/06 by moviefanatic411 Kid contributor, age 15
See all 9 kids reviews >
Review It
Who's your favorite TV holiday special character?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
26%
The Grinch
35%
Frosty the Snowman
11%
Charlie Brown
18%
Shrek
10%
211 votes