Parents' Guide to

Last Holiday

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Formulaic but sometimes winning comedy.

Movie PG-13 2006 112 minutes
Last Holiday Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

doctora
doctora Parent of 6-year-old
April 30, 2023
age 13+

Latifah's charm reminds us that she is still the Queen!!

Latifah's charm oozes throughout this film reminding us that she is indeed the Queen! A fun, whimsical ride with a solid supporting cast reminding us that films are fun and that predictability has its merits. Special standouts are Kellerman and Esposito. Latifah radiates in most scenes and even when she is supposed to be frumpy we are charmed by her strength of faith and her belief in her dreams. A lovely romp.
Roxanne F.
Roxanne F. Adult
December 27, 2022
age 13+
A funny movie with positive values. The acting is good and the characters have chemistry. The film is underrated. It should be added to more holiday movie lists.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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