The 2006 movie "The Holiday" has long held a special place in holiday movie lists. However, its writer and director, Nancy Meyers, had a different intention altogether. In a recent interview on the Hollywood Gold podcast, she revealed that she "never ever saw it as a holiday movie ever in my life." Meyers explained that while the movie features characters swapping houses during Christmas, she initially set the story without the specific holiday context in mind. "I know it's called 'The Holiday' because they're taking a holiday, but it could have been called that if it was in the summer," she said. After re-watching the movie recently, she was "a little shocked at how much Christmas was in it."

Uncover the Hidden Story Behind the Christmas Classic "The Holiday"

The Characters and Their Struggles

The rom-com "The Holiday" stars Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black, and the late Eli Wallach. Amanda, a movie trailer editor living in Los Angeles, and Iris, a journalist in Surrey, England, decide to swap houses for two weeks at Christmas. Their hope is to forget their troubled love lives, but love finds them anyway. Meyers noted that while she didn't initially think of it as a holiday movie, she set it during Christmas because it can be a lonely time. As she re-watched the movie, she realized that all the characters are damaged. "I never thought it would be, you know, a movie that you watched during the holidays. … Didn't think of it that way. I just really wanted to tell the story about these people," she said. The It's Complicated filmmaker found Black's character Miles to be the least damaged among them, but still, "they're all pretty damaged." And the holidays seemed like a good time to deal with those issues.

The Impact and Legacy

Despite Nancy Meyers' intentions, "The Holiday" has found its way to Christmas classic status. Its unique story of two strangers finding love and healing during the holiday season has touched the hearts of many. The movie's ensemble cast brings the characters to life, making them relatable and endearing. It has become a favorite during the Christmas season, with viewers returning year after year to enjoy its charm. The Holiday has shown that a movie doesn't have to be specifically made for the holidays to become one. Its universal themes of love, loss, and hope resonate with audiences across different seasons. It has become a timeless classic that continues to bring joy and warmth during the Christmas season.