Last Holiday

Last Holiday has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in the US on Hoopla, and in the UK on Paramount Plus. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 883 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Queen Latifah's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Hoopla.

There is a reason Last Holiday keeps coming up in conversation. Last Holiday gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. The discovery that she has a terminal illness prompts introverted department store saleswoman Georgia Byrd to reflect on what she realizes has been an overly cautious life. With weeks to live, she withdraws her life savings, sells all her possessions and jets off to Europe where she lives it up at a posh hotel. Upbeat and passionate, Georgia charms everybody she meets, including renowned Chef Didier. Queen Latifah and LL Cool J lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It hit screens in 2006. What keeps Last Holiday from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Last Holiday respects your intelligence. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Queen Latifah's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.