<P> The Holiday is a 2006 American romantic comedy film written, produced and directed by Nancy Meyers . Co-produced by Bruce A. Block, it was filmed in both California and England, and stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as Amanda and Iris, two lovelorn women from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, who arrange a home exchange to escape heartbreak during the Christmas and holiday season . Jude Law and Jack Black were cast as the film's leading men Graham and Miles, with Eli Wallach, Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns and Rufus Sewell playing key supporting roles . </P> <P> Distributed by Columbia Pictures and Universal Pictures, The Holiday was first released on December 6, 2006, in Spain and on December 8, 2006, in North America and the United Kingdom . It grossed over $205 million worldwide against a budget of $85 million . Critics praised the film's visual aesthetic design and the cast's performances, though criticized its plot as predictable . </P> <P> Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet), a society columnist for The Daily Telegraph in London, is still in love with her co-worker Jasper Bloom (Rufus Sewell) for over three years, even though he cheated on her and they have broken up . When she learns that he is engaged to marry another woman, Iris is distraught, and desirous of a life change . Meanwhile, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz), a workaholic business executive living in Los Angeles, discovers that her boyfriend Ethan Ebbers (Edward Burns) has been cheating on her with his receptionist . After breaking up with him, she decides to get away for the Christmas holidays and visits a home - exchange website on which Iris has listed her cottage in Surrey, England . Amanda contacts Iris, and the two women agree to swap homes for two weeks . </P> <P> While Iris revels in the luxury of Amanda's large Los Angeles home, Amanda is disappointed by the slow, quiet pace of life in Iris's quaint cottage . She grows bored after only a few hours and books a flight home for the following day . Later that night, Iris's brother, Graham (Jude Law), knocks at the door thinking Iris is home . Graham asks Amanda to let him spend the night despite never previously meeting, as he has been drinking at the pub and does not want to drive home . Amanda agrees . After a brief, drunken conversation, they kiss and later end up sleeping together . </P>

Where does cameron diaz go in the holiday