Although 'Holiday' didn't fulfil my expectations overall and I found it to be a tad overrated, viewing it is still an enjoyable experience due to the presence of it's two stars, Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.
Katharine sails into her usual black-sheep role of the 30's with ease and precision, although here she is not playing a prim, haughty rich girl but a rich yet down-to-earth gal. She is Linda Seton, the sister of Julia (Doris Nolan, who is really the haughty one). Julia is engaged to Johnny Case (Cary Grant, in a good performance)and brings him to meet the Seton clan. They all expect Johnny to go into big business after the marriage, but this is not what Johnny wants out of life. He's an adventurous spirit, spontaneous (I love the somersaults! Cary Grant shows off his athletic ability, being a former trapeze artist, in this one)and he just wants to spend the next few years on a sort of 'Holiday'. Socially-aware Julia is horrified at the thought, but Linda is understanding. She begins to fall for him early but she must keep her feelings hidden for fear of upsetting her sister. Johnny starts to doubt his choice of sister as it becomes apparent that Linda is really his soulmate and the girl for him.
This film is about love, and following your heart's instinct. It's not up there with other Grant-Hepburn films such as 'Bringing Up Baby' and 'The Philadelphia Story' but it's a pleasant vehicle for the two stars. It has some comedic touches which benefit the overall product, but it has a tendency to drag towards the ending.
7/10.
Katharine sails into her usual black-sheep role of the 30's with ease and precision, although here she is not playing a prim, haughty rich girl but a rich yet down-to-earth gal. She is Linda Seton, the sister of Julia (Doris Nolan, who is really the haughty one). Julia is engaged to Johnny Case (Cary Grant, in a good performance)and brings him to meet the Seton clan. They all expect Johnny to go into big business after the marriage, but this is not what Johnny wants out of life. He's an adventurous spirit, spontaneous (I love the somersaults! Cary Grant shows off his athletic ability, being a former trapeze artist, in this one)and he just wants to spend the next few years on a sort of 'Holiday'. Socially-aware Julia is horrified at the thought, but Linda is understanding. She begins to fall for him early but she must keep her feelings hidden for fear of upsetting her sister. Johnny starts to doubt his choice of sister as it becomes apparent that Linda is really his soulmate and the girl for him.
This film is about love, and following your heart's instinct. It's not up there with other Grant-Hepburn films such as 'Bringing Up Baby' and 'The Philadelphia Story' but it's a pleasant vehicle for the two stars. It has some comedic touches which benefit the overall product, but it has a tendency to drag towards the ending.
7/10.