Noch einmal Ferien

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this movie.

Yes the plot has been done many times before. As with most romantic comedies, it's nothing deep, had some cheesy moments and was totally predictable (I figured out the whole movie in the first 10 minutes).

But I really enjoyed it all the same. I laughed a lot in this movie. Partly because I could totally relate to trying to live life under the radar as woman that doesn't look like a model. Plus it was refreshing to see an African American woman shown with some depth in a movie. Not just the mean black woman.

There was very little cussing, little sexuality, and no nudity. Truly refreshing these days.

If you just want to enjoy a movie without having to put too much thought into it, go see this movie.

Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) is a shy reserved sales clerk, and an amateur chef. She has feelings for co-worker Sean Matthews (LL Cool J). When a CAT scan reveals a terminal illness, she cashes in everything to live it up in Europe at the Grandhotel Pupp where chef Didier (Gérard Depardieu) serves.

Queen Latifah exudes charisma and warmth which enlivens this old feel-good formula. It's fun, it's charming, and it's cliché. Timothy Hutton does a sleazy retail magnate. LL Cool J is very personable and sexy. Gérard Depardieu actually has fun acting opposite the Queen. In the end, any positivity comes from her beautiful personality. And that's what makes this such a delight.

Last Holiday is a feelgood movie. You know from the start there will be cheesy moments and a happy ending but it doesn't matter as you don't watch such a movie for surprises, nor to be intrigued. Those movies are made to make you feel good and that's exactly what it did. There is the right amount of joyful and sadful moments, so you will feel both emotions while watching Last Holiday. And it's not even spoiling that I tell you there is a happy end as there always is a happy end. That's why it's a feelgood movie. The cast was enjoyable to watch, especially Queen Latifah playing the main character. As for the comedy factor I had a couple good laughs, mostly in the well found repliques from Queen Latifah. Every now and a while everybody needs a movie like this one, something easy and pleasant to watch.

OK, "Last Holiday" is not an Oscar contender, but it is an uplifting and well-made film. Georgia, the main character played by Queen Latifah, was living a very dull and boring life and suddenly, she realized that there was more to life than working all day and eating microwave dinners. She was a woman who followed her dreams. Timothy Hutton is a wonderful villain and LL Cool J plays his heartthrob role very well. The Czech Republic provided a gorgeous (albeit COLD) backdrop. Yes, some of the plot points are implausible, but who cares? The scenery - and Queen Latifah's wardrobe - were breathtaking and most important, this movie was ENTERTAINING and these days, there are very few films that you can say that about. At the performance I attended, there were about 200 people in the audience and we all applauded at the end of the film. Go see it for a good laugh!

I thought this movie to be highly enjoyable. It had all the right ingredients (pun intended) of a classic "feel good" movie. In a generation full of hectic rush and non stop "mean-ness," this movie was a little ounce of what we need more in the world; optimism. "Live life to the fullest." Unfortunately that theme isn't common nowadays. There doesn't seem to be one part of this movie that isn't enjoyable. There's just the right amount of humor that allows Queen Latifa to shine as a comedian as well as heart in her performance which makes you care for and relate to this character. I hope this movie receives a lot of credit and praise despite the timing of its release. I applaud the actors and the especially the writers for making such a happy movie.