MovieChat Forums > The Holiday (2006) Discussion > Question about the driver

Question about the driver

posted 10 years ago by chriscantu32
16 replies | jump to latest

This is hands down one my favorite movies ever. A friend and I love to watch this film every year around Christmas. Last night we watched it, and we both noticed something. How come the driver that takes Amanda to Iris's house in the beginning stops midway to Iris's house, telling Amanda that he won't be able to turn the car around if he goes any further, but then at the end, is seeing driving away from the house?

Also, Graham is seen dropping Amanda off in one scene,coming from the opposite direction that the driver was taking in the beginning. I'm assuming the "left side" of the house is an easier route to drive through.

Did anyone else notice this? It's probably minor, but all I could keep thinking was, "That driver is so lazy!!"

[–] jlnriddick 10 years ago

Hahaha! I think your point is very easily noticed in the film... the driver's inability to go directly to the cottage as he brings Amanda to Rosehill, yet is out front when he picks her up. The only explanation I can think of is, how else could he pick her up for the airport, other than to ask her to walk halfway out the lane to meet him (probably wouldn't fly). It seemed rather amazing that she (as aggressive as she is) actually walked all that way in the first place when he dropped her off at the beginning. I was sweating just watching her drag all her luggage, let alone in those crazy pumps!

The other funny thing was the driver's attitude. He clearly thought Amanda was a flake, and didn't much hide his opinion!

[–] reddkryten 10 years ago

That always bothered me. The only explanation I can find is the driver didn't know the area. Let's say one road provide an easy path to the cottage, while the other was small, winding and difficult.

When the driver first went to the cottage, he accidentally picked the difficult way,

The second time Amanda had gotten used to the area and gave him some directions.

[–] pc-daisy 10 years ago

Yes, I think so too and it makes sense. What doesn't make sense to me is Iris obviously owning a car (the red mini), yet walking home to the cottage after work?

[–] reddkryten 10 years ago

Did we ever see the mini! Every time there is an establishing shot of the cottage, I have never been able to see the mini parked.

A friend of mine is convinced that the mini was a rental car that was delivered for Amanda. I find that a bit hard to believe since Iris did say "we swap houses and cars" but it makes more sense than Iris walking home and the car never being seen again.

[–] pc-daisy 10 years ago

Yes it does make more sense. But I still strain to catch a glimpse of the red mini even though they are fleeting shots. There are a few anomalies like these. For example the time frame shifts every time Amanda mentions she is leaving, but that is ok people do that in 'real' life too. My chief bug could have been explained away in a sentence, but it is that they put this swap (albeit through an agency) together in 24 hours, so that means Amanda keeps a passport current even though they both say they never go anywhere?

[–] reddkryten 10 years ago

If you think the 24 hour flight thing is hard, just think about Aurther's event.

Aurther says no to it, he only changes his mind just before Christmas, the event happens before New Years. This gives the WGA how many days to organise and publicise the event and get a full house? And how quickly did Iris' exercise regime get Aurther back in shape? Not compleatly impossible but...

I always assumed Amanda kept her passport current for work. Sometimes things are shot specifically for trailers or promotions, perhaps Amanda occasionally visited the sets? So even though she travels, she never has a holiday, I know someone who went to the Caribean on business for a week, somehow he convinced us all that it was gruelling and not enjoyable at all!

Why Miles has an up to date passport is the real mystery to me.

[–] Val-El 10 years ago

Why Miles has an up to date passport is the real mystery to me.

Perhaps he likes traveling?

I always keep mine current!


[–] chitownsiren-774-641813 10 years ago

Agreed. My passport is always current!

[–] conway3000 9 years ago

They were clearly planning the event anyway whether he appeared or not. It clearly was a treat that he appeared. They were probably planning retrospective of his movies. Let's face it he was a successful oscar, emmy winning and nominated screenwriter in his heyday. As Jack Black says - Arthur is a rock star.

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

In an overlong rom-com, I have no idea why they added the driver "can't take the taxi in " segment any way. It wasn't hilariously funny and as many have noted, is contradicted later in the movie.

If you think the 24 hour flight thing is hard, just think about Aurther's event.

It's a 2 week holiday that ends up playing out as if it was more like a month.🐭

[–] TheArtfulDetective 9 years ago

I always wondered the exact same thing. He obviously knew where the cottage was since he knew he couldn't make it down the lane, yet why didn't he drive her from the other direction like he did when he picked her up in the end?

I also noticed the Mini was never in any scenes at the cottage. Strange.

"We want the finest wines available to humanity, we want them here, and we want them now!"

[–] sandcrab277 9 years ago

you over anal- ize everything...jay simpson played sgt brooke in foyles war...he was funny

[–] Helenlaurence 8 years ago

Because Amanda walking to the cottage is used as a way of showing how different life is here in England and how Amanda is beginning to change.
It's a plot hole I suppose.

[–] crysjumar 8 years ago

i just thought the driver was acting a bit of a prig because she was american. everyone else could drive up and down the lane.

Take your pinche color-coordinated sponsored chingada and take a flying fck

[–] oliviajones-77211 8 years ago

This is how I always looked at it as well.

[–] jeffsayyes (157) 5 years ago

Was it because it was snowing?