The Holiday is a chick flick in every sense of the term. The film is also further proof that Nancy Meyers is one of the more overrated directors out there. Still, she manages to attract stars like Mel Gibson (What Women Want), and Jack Nicholson (Something's Gotta Give) despite writing skills that are, at best, suspect. This isn't to say I flat out hate her work, but more often than not, when it comes to the Nancy Meyers universe, the parts are usually better than the whole. This certainly is the case with The Holiday.

In this light, romantic comedy two women, (both unlucky in love), decide to house swap for two weeks during the holidays. Just outside London, Iris (Kate Winslet) relishes the opportunity to take off to sunny California in hopes that she might be able to forget about the smooth talking writer (played by Rufus Sewell) whom she's been hung up on for three years. Meanwhile, in California, movie trailer editor Amanda (Cameron Diaz) is ready to get on with her life after she discovers her boyfriend (played by Edward Burns, in a completely bland, uninspired turn) has been cheating on her, thus both women are wont for a little change of scenery. When the two ladies swap homes, the last thing they expect, inevitably happens. They strike up bonds with men. Amanda with Iris' suave brother Graham (Jude Law), a charming chap with a big secret. Iris with Miles (Jack Black), a movie composer who just so happens to be in a predicament that Iris can completely identify with.

As expected, everything that occurs in The Holiday is a little too conveniently pat, and far too cutesy-utesy. Before anyone jumps down my throat and decides that I'm far too jaded and cynical to warm up to a movie like this, know that I am a romantic at heart. I am a fan of the romantic comedy – when it's done properly. Hell, one of my favorite pictures of the past ten years is Return To Me. You don't get any more old fashioned than that movie. In Return To Me, there's a great camaraderie between the cast, and wonderful dialogue to boot. It's an absolute charmer. The Holiday by comparison, never really comes together. Furthermore, way too much unbelievable crap is crammed into a scant two week time span (Iris falls in and out of love, Amanda falls in and out of love, Eli Wallach's character has a completely unnecessary subplot as a veteran screenwriter who's reluctant to attend a tribute his peers are throwing to honor his body of work,etc.) that to suggest suspension of disbelief is required to enjoy this film, is a massive understatement. Everything feels painfully underdeveloped (surprising, given the film's overly long running time–two hours and fifteen minutes).

Nancy Meyers injects several inside jokes that will, no doubt, appeal to film lovers (watch for a famed celeb cameo in a video store, and marvel at the absolutely hilarious movie trailer for a generic actioneer starring James Franco and Lindsey Lohan), but make no mistake - it's a gimmick. These playful inside jokes are there to distract the audience from the shallow, ramshackle narrative. As for the sappy-sad situations that beset Iris and Amanda's love lives, I have no doubt that such emotional turmoil takes place in real life. It does. In High School!!!!These women are in their 30's. Seriously, the way that these talented, attractive performers are forced to deal with these situations is demeaning to them and the audience. I didn't buy any of it. The fashion in which Winslet resolves her fixation with Rufus Sewell is howlingly bad, and Jack Black's unexpected encounter with his girlfriend at the local video store is even worse. It's bad sitcom material. Meyers' inept attempt at conjuring the sweet whimsy of Nora Ephron's best (When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless In Seattle) with the smarts of James L. Brooks' strongest (Broadcast News and As Good As It Gets) isn't as charming as the former or witty as the latter.

Having said that, there are moments of joy here. And what does work, works as a result of the talented cast. Kate Winlset is a luminous actress, and she does bring a kind of dramatic weight to a role that doesn't really deserve it. She has this vulnerability that makes you want to jump into the screen and give her a big hug. Jack Black is in normal-guy mode, but he's at his funniest when he does his "Jack Black" thing. Watch as he plays a cute little movie theme game with Winslet while strolling through the video store, and see how well Black plays the infamous "boob graze" scene. Great timing. Sadly though, Black seems awfully uncomfortable when he's asked to get emotional. He's not quite as seasoned as say, Will Ferrell, who plays both sides of the line so effortlessly in the recent Stranger Than Fiction. Still, I like Black and he does provide the film with some of its cutest moments. Cameron Diaz is positively annoying throughout the first half of the film. As the second half rolled around, I don't think she was any less annoying. I just sort of adjusted to her obnoxiousness so it didn't seem as irritating. Disappointing as I've always been quite the fan of Diaz. She was terrific in My Best Friend's Wedding and she won me over in last year's In Her Shoes as well. Here, she simply grated on my nerves. Jude Law appears bored throughout most of the movie, although he does come to life a bit in the last act when a reveal pertaining to his character is flipped. The legendary Eli Wallach appears as an aging screenwriter who Winslet befriends while she's staying in California. Wallach played a similar role in a recent episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset strip to stronger effect. I'd really like to give a special shout out to Hal Douglas who provides some terrifically entertaining voice over work. You may recognize his voice from numerous coming attraction trailers, including the one showcased in this film.

I know The Holiday is harmless entertainment and that when it comes to movies like this, you just have to check your "yea right" attitude at the door. Still, this cast is worthy of a much better script – one with characters rather than caricatures. And though it doesn't flat out stink, I'm mad at myself for buying into the warm slice of holiday cheer that the trailer lead me to expect.