The Soundtrack Space: The Holiday

The Holiday is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of Christmas watching. It is so feel-good and romantic, and features an incredible ensemble cast. Hans Zimmer’s beautiful score for the film stays in my listening rotation all year round.

Zimmer opens the film with ‘Maestro’, a gorgeous melody that encapsulates The Holiday’s emotional quality. The opening scene is deceptive as it shows a scene of a couple in a romantic period drama setting, which is then revealed to be a scene for a film that Miles (Jack Black) is working on the musical composition for. With Miles being a composer, soundtracks are brought to the fore; the focus on the importance of soundtracks throughout the film meta-textually reflects how significant Zimmer’s score is to The Holiday.

We often see Miles working on or discussing scores. In one memorable scene, he plays a piece of music he wrote for Iris (Kate Winslet) on the keyboard, in which he claims he “only used the good notes”. He also writes a theme for Arthur (Eli Wallach) to be used for his grand entrance at the Hollywood event held in his honour.

‘Iris and Jasper’ is one of my favourite pieces from Zimmer’s soundtrack. The melody is slow and melancholic, utilising subtle piano and strings. This is one of the most heartbreaking moments, in which we see Iris’s unrequited love for Jasper (Rufus Sewell).

‘Definitely Unexpected’ soundtracks their blossoming romantic feelings

‘Kayak for One’ is a drastic shift in tone from the two previous tracks on the album. It is a comedic scene, as Amanda (Cameron Diaz) tries to find the perfect holiday location. The melody is upbeat and plays into the humorous notes of the film by pausing at certain moments when Amanda finds terrible house listings. The use of guitar differentiates it from previous tracks, giving it a holiday feel. It ends on a positive note as Amanda stumbles upon Iris’s idyllic cottage.

‘Dream Kitchen’ is a wonderful addition to the soundtrack. It encapsulates the joy of Iris staying at Amanda’s incredible LA mansion, with a pool, a DVD room, and even a gym. The music crescendos, as does Iris’s excitement. The piano melody feels bouncy and joyous. This mood is heightened by the high-pitched instrumentation.

One of two romantic plotlines involves Amanda and Graham (Jude Law). Graham is properly introduced when he ends up on Amanda’s doorstep. ‘Definitely Unexpected’ soundtracks their blossoming romantic feelings. The occasional high-pitched violin suggests the tension between the two characters. Zimmer’s use of lingering guitar plucking sounds seductive, suggesting that a new romantic opportunity has opened up for Amanda. 

Amanda and Graham’s romance is complicated throughout the film. Zimmer uses a slowed version of the motif introduced in ‘Maestro’, as well as from ‘Iris and Jasper’, to reflect the melancholic tone of the scene in ‘If I Wanted to Call You’. 

The film ends with ‘Cry’, one of the most beautiful pieces from Zimmer’s soundtrack

‘Roadside Rhapsody’ introduces Arthur. This track resembles an old Hollywood score, reflecting Arthur’s past as a successful screenwriter. Arthur’s storyline is a wholesome one, where a lonely elderly man is given the recognition he deserves. 

Speaking of which, ‘Gumption’ is used to soundtrack the scene of Arthur’s big moment. It opens with a hopeful melody, using a key motif from The Holiday that incorporates piano and strings. Zimmer uses the midpoint of the piece for a quieter, emotional moment. Then, this transforms into Arthur’s theme, the piece that we saw Miles writing earlier in the film. The bouncy rhythm and use of wind instruments make for an upbeat theme that conveys Arthur’s playful nature.

The film ends with ‘Cry’, one of the most beautiful pieces from Zimmer’s soundtrack. It opens with an emotional melody in a significant moment where Amanda cries for the first time. This transitions into an energetic rhythm and electric guitar. The crescendo, combining drums, the electric guitar, and a beautiful piano melody with the motif played on dramatic strings, makes for a piece worthy of soundtracking the resolution of Amanda’s storyline. It ends on a quiet, sweet note as Amanda and Graham are reunited.

Zimmer’s score for The Holiday remains a firm favourite of mine, no matter the season.