Barnes & Noble

Unlikely as it sounds, the source of this raucous Queen Latifah vehicle can be traced to a wry, and decidedly cynical J. B. Priestley screenplay originally filmed in 1950 with Alec Guinness in the lead role. Aside from the gender reversal, the basic story remains the same; but the 2006 version has been buffed to such a dazzling sheen that Priestley’s rough edges have all but disappeared. Latifah plays New Orleans department-store clerk Georgia Byrd, whose minor head injury is misdiagnosed as a terminal illness that gives her just a few weeks to live. Determined to make the most of whatever time remains to her, Georgia quits her job and takes the dream vacation she always wanted, going overseas to a posh European resort. She makes indelible impressions on everyone she meets, including the obnoxious retail magnate (Timothy Hutton) in whose store she worked for so long. Director Wayne Wang (Maid in Manhattan) exhibits a flair for the slick, common-woman-shows-wealthy-snobs-what-life-is-all-about comedy that animates this predictable farce. The supporting cast -- which includes one of Latifah’s hip-hop contemporaries, LL Cool J, as well as versatile character actor Giancarlo Esposito -- provide ample backup to the leading lady. But make no mistake, this is the Queen's film. The dusty situations and gags seem fresh when the always-game Latifah goes through her paces; she’s all that and a whole lot more. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

A woman learns to love life when she finds out she won't be around long in this comedy. Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) lives in New Orleans, where she works in the cookware department of an upscale gourmet supply shop. While Georgia carries a torch for Sean (LL Cool J), one of her co-workers, she doesn't have the nerve to tell him, and despite her estimable skills in the kitchen, she lives frugally and doesn't put her talent to use. Georgia's good friend Rochelle (Jane Adams) often tells her that life is short and she needs to live a little, but she doesn't pay her much mind until a visit to the doctor reveals that Georgia has a very rare medical condition, and only has three weeks to live. Throwing caution to the wind, Georgia cashes out her life savings and heads to Europe for a last bit of revelry. She checks into a four-star hotel, trades her drab clothes for haute couture, finds herself flirting with a handsome and powerful politician (Giancarlo Esposito), convinces the head of a cooking supplies firm (Timothy Hutton) that she's a high-powered executive from a rival company, and makes friends with a four-star chef (Gérard Depardieu). But when Sean learns the truth about Georgia's condition, he sets out to find her before their chance at romance has passed. Directed by Wayne Wang, Last Holiday is a remake of a 1950 British comedy, which starred Alec Guinness as a salesman with a few weeks to live. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 097361401744
• Source: PARAMOUNT
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 1:51:00
• Sales Rank: 35,221

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