MovieChat Forums > The Holiday (2006) Discussion > One Thing Ruined It For Me

One Thing Ruined It For Me

posted 14 years ago by WeRNotAfraid
51 replies | jump to latest

The scene where Cameron Diaz punches her boyfriend because she thinks he's been cheating on her was disgusting and ruined the whole movie for me. There is SUCH a double standard here; if HE had punched HER for cheating, the whole movie would have been about her court battle and the fight to have a dangerous abuser locked up, and the man would have been portrayed as an evil monster. Because a woman punches a man, though, it's supposed to be "cute" and "funny." In reality, it's neither. Abuse is abuse, no matter what sex does it, and to violently assault someone like that (and it clearly really hurt his character in the film) makes her allegedly lovable character no better than a wife-beater would have been.

[–] yoo 13 years ago

It's not a symmetric situation.

A couple I know is about the same height, he is a pen-pusher, she is a 3rd Dan (or is it 4th?) in Ju-Jutsu. If he would baby-slap her it would simply be nothing to worry about.

(Boy I hope he is not reading this.)

[–] niili 13 years ago

I really would've been disappointed if she didn't punch him. His ultimate whiny voice is SOOOOO annoying in that scene, every time I watch it (which is often), I just want it to get over already:D And that line: "I don't think about you, I'm thinking of me" or smth, I would hit that man myself (I'm not sure if I had the cuts of course, hehe).

So, for me, it is a fair punch. Of course I don't like domestic violence, but a little fair punch does no harm.

PS! And I have seen some punches in films given by men that I didn't mind, eg. Rhett Butler in "Gone with a Wind":)

[–] justdoingmything 13 years ago

true....
love is a beautiful thing, only when it is returned....

[–] Montreal_Geek 13 years ago

It had comedic value, let's admit it, he was a jerk. That being said, a man hitting a man is ok? Abuse is abuse and I don't agree with violence in real life but since this is a movie, we should take it as it is.

No, men should not be abused either but I've never heard anyone complain when a man hits a man in movies. Just a thought.

[–] nelliewilson 13 years ago

So much sexism in this thread it's pathetic. The OP is completely right. I've hear d a few reason why it's okay for her to punch him which is because A) She punches like a girl, B) He's a guy and should be able to take it, C) He deserved it D) It was funny.

He should have slapped her. After all, it would be funny, she deserved it for hitting him, and she could take it.

" The rug really tied the room together, did it not? "

[–] metallicacid 13 years ago

I think there is difference though. If you hit someone because they're an *beep* than its not really an issue. And that is what i think the context the movie was going for.

I've been in an asbusive relationship with a woman and no matter how much she hit me I couldn't bring myself to hit her back. It was Psychologically ingrained in me to just take it and wait for her to calm down.

I think that the reason why its such a taboo for a man to strike a woman is for two reasons. the first is that a man is physically stronger and can cause some real damage. While a woman can certainly do damage she is at least not taking on a more vulnerable target. The other reason is men who hit woman are normally trying to enforce their dominion over them. It takes the equilaty out of the relationship. in essense he's a bully too chicken sh it to take someone his own size on.

Now don't get me wrong a woman should never hit a bloke either. But if she does it just is in my opinion not as bad. If he's an *beep* like the guy in the movie then maybe he does deserve it.

[–] nickynichole01 12 years ago

Seeing as Cameron Diaz is well know for being very diva like, rude and very unfriendly to extras, waiters, waitresses, fans etc Its kinda comical. Imo I could careless. People such as her will eventually end up a nobody in time. And it shows the way her career is today. Same as Mariah Carey, Brittany Spears and Julia Roberts. A-holes or no talent people always end up in the same boat.

Nichole was here.

[–] jporter-6 12 years ago

Holy smoke. Take a laxative. Lay down. Take a nap. Take a vacation. Take a Prozac. Realize this you saying, "It's only a move. It's only a movie."

[–] hkronin 12 years ago

When someone in a position of either physical or social power abuses someone of lesser power, it is viewed poorly by society.

A man hitting a woman is typically viewed as disgusting, as is a woman hitting a child, or person kicking a smaller animal.

You will see this same kind of scathing if a boss were to make sexual advances at an employee, or a teacher were to flirt with a student.

The common theme is abuse of power.

On the flip side, most people will not be as abhored by two children in a fight, two women in a fight, two men in a fight, etc. If an employee hits on his/her boss, that might be viewed as tacky, but not as sexual harassment.

Ed burns is obviously a big, strong, young guy, and Cameron Diaz is obviously a very small, thin, woman. The viewers of the film have NO DOUBT that if Ed Burns' character wanted to defend himself, he would have no trouble doing so... he simply chose not to, and accepted the punishment.

[–] Val-El 11 years ago

Cameron Diaz is 5'9" and works her butt off in the gym (along with kick boxing). Think she can't throw a good punch?

[–] Rebekah-xo 12 years ago

I had no problem with it but that was probably because I'd always wanted to see Ed Burns punched in the face.

[–] RottenBeauty 12 years ago

It didn't RUIN it for me, but on my last rewatching it really does bother me. I think it is 'supposed' to be empowering and show that she is 'strong' but it's lazy to have her PUNCH someone and it sends the wrong message. Every time I see a woman slap a man in the face for hurting her precious feelings I want to see him slap her back.

For some reason the world seems to think that women hitting men is strong, or cute but men hitting women is BAD, EVIL etc. It's like the 'how can she slap?' video, woman slaps man . . .man slaps woman in return and is then beaten the crap out of while crying. It's awful.

Using violence to control or harm someone else isn't ok in most circumstances, regardless of gender.

That said, I did enjoy the movie, I just roll my eyes at that scene and try to ignore it.

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