Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
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. The only one missing from her new life is her longtime crush Sean Williams.
Last Holiday is a feel-good remake carried almost entirely by Queen Latifah's magnetic, warm performance, which elevates what is otherwise a fairly formulaic premise. The plot follows a predictable arc of terminal-illness-induced life transformation with few genuine surprises, and the remake status further diminishes its novelty. Cinematography is functional but unremarkable, capturing the luxury hotel setting adequately without any particular visual flair. The ending is satisfying in the crowd-pleasing sense but resolves neatly and tidily in ways that stretch credibility. Acting is the clear standout — Latifah brings genuine charisma and emotional authenticity, supported by a likable ensemble including LL Cool J and Gérard Depardieu.