Forget Jude Law, You’re All Sleeping On Jack Black in ‘The Holiday’

The big picture

• Jude Law's character a
  The holidays
  He is often praised for his charm, but the character of Jack Black is just as sweet and romantic.
• Miles shows kindness, humor and a romantic gesture that eclipses Graham, providing the ideal partner in the film.
• Director Nancy Meyers also believes that Miles is the right man, emphasizing his lovable and lovable qualities in
  The holidays
  .

Nancy Meyers he has a knack for not only creating the most aesthetically pleasing films, but also writing characters that capture the hearts of every viewer. The holidays is not an exception. You can ask a group of people who their big movie love is, and at least one of them will say Jude Law in The holidays, and who would blame them? He has an impeccable sweater collection, looks great in glasses and is an adorable dad. In fact, it takes “DILF” to another level. There is no denying the appeal and charm of his character. But as I've gotten older and looked again The holidays for a bit of seasonal comfort, I can't help but see things in a new light. Specifically, how perfect Jack Black is, and how we're all sleeping with him as the movie's true romantic dream man.

Jude Law is the easy choice of host in 'The Holiday'

Listen, Jude Law is Jude Law. He's your typical Gallagher, leading man, Casanova type. He's unbearably handsome and there's no denying it. So it's only natural that his character enters The holidays would be just as charming. Law plays Graham Simpkins, the brother of one of our other main characters, Iris (Kate Winslet). A book publisher and single father with a knee-weakening British accent, he's literally the perfect catch. And our other leading lady Amanda (Cameron Diaz) happens to agree. Through her, we see more of Graham's softer side, how sensitive and caring he is to his daughters, and also how reserved and protective he can be over them and his wife's death. But as the film plays out, Amanda manages to slip into his life smoothly and the pair embark on a beautiful romance. With the backdrop of snowy England, it's no wonder viewers are drawn to Amanda and Graham's love story, but it's the easy choice. That's not to say it's wrong, but a review of the film may open your eyes to the romance between Iris and Miles. At least mine did.

Jack Black Is The Best Love Interest In 'The Holiday'

As the film's premise follows two women who decide to swap houses for the holidays, we see two different lifestyles unfold. Iris's quaint and cozy, if somewhat dreary, life in England, and Amanda's lavish but lonely life in Los Angeles. Switching the two gives us a fish-out-of-water dynamic that bodes well for the rom-com genre and allows for spectacular romances to occur. When we first meet Iris, she is hopelessly in love with her engaged co-worker Jasper (Rufus Sewell), who guides her continuously and takes advantage of her obvious affection for him. So when he moves house with Amanda, he is given the opportunity to cleanse himself of his attachment to the man, and hopefully find it in her to move on. Enter Miles, who is in a bit of a messy love situation himself, as he catches his girlfriend cheating on him. He and Iris bond over their shared relationship issues, which eventually gives way to a sweet romance.

Miles is the complete antithesis of Jasper. He's kind and nice, funny and sweet, and he gives Iris his uninhibited attention. He comforts her when she is down and always makes her laugh. They share a similar sense of humor and a love of classic movies. This leads to what is probably the most romantic scene in the entire film. Iris enlists Miles' help in creating a tune for her new friend Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), a screenwriter from the Golden Age of Hollywood who is having a gala in his honor. After Miles shows Iris what he's come up with, she gleefully exclaims “It looks like him!” Only for Miles to reply that he wrote one that looks like her too. He plays it for her and tells her that he “only used the good notes”. And if that doesn't just scream romance, I don't know what does. He even offers to fly to England for New Years so he can take her on a date! How are we picking Graham over him?

Miles is the ideal partner in 'The Holiday'

Obviously, it all comes down to personal taste, so there really isn't a right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between Miles and Graham. But as I've gotten older, with each revision The holidays, I can't help but feel that Miles is the perfect match. Graham is charming and warm and a great father, but I find myself laughing more when Miles is on screen and I feel all of it when he and Iris share a scene. And isn't that the kind of effect you want from a romantic partner? I get it, it can be hard to look past Jack Black's goofy nature and see his character as the leading man, but if you can, you might just find that Miles has been the man of your dreams all along.

Miles is just as charming as Graham, he just has a more cheerful way about him, while Graham is a slightly more serious character. Most importantly, he makes Irish laugh and is small all the time, even when his life seems hopeless because of Jasper. Through her relationship with Miles, Iris is able to see what she truly deserves, who is a nice man who will write symphonies about her and fly to England to celebrate the New Year with her! He is the ultimate romantic and Miles deserves as much praise as Graham. Even Nancy Meyers herself says that Miles is the perfect man. In an interview, he talked about it The holidays and shared her process of choosing Jack Black as Miles, and why she thinks he's such a good love interest.

“I saw School of Rock and I loved him, I thought he came off the screen. He spoke to me as a member of the audience. I just thought this guy is so great with these kids, it was a really tough performance, a great movie and it was spectacular. When I was thinking about this movie I thought it was someone I would like to write a role for.” Meyers shared of Black. “I'm aware he's not Clark Gable, he's not tall and dark and handsome, but he's adorable, he's adorable. It's my way of saying that's the right kind of guy, that's what most guys look like if they're lucky , is so adorable, and why not? Everyone has a heart and deserves to fall in love. So I fixed it with Kate Winslet.

So, case closed. Even Nancy Meyers thinks Miles is the right man. And hits the nail on the head. he is adorable, he is adorable, and he does deserve a great girl, and when he gets her, he's even happier. I love Graham as much as the next person, but when it really comes down to it, Miles ticks the boxes for me. Miles and Iris' relationship is romcom par excellence, and it's time we start showing it the appreciation it deserves!

The holidays is available to stream on Netflix in the United States

WATCH ON NETFLIX