After learning she’s contracted a rare neurological disorder that is going to kill her within a month’s time, mousy department store sales clerk Georgia Bird (Queen Latifah) decides to go out in style by blowing every last penny of her life’s savings on a dream vacation in the Czech Republic. Though the department store’s bungling resident physician diagnosed this mysterious symptom-free disease based on a fuzzy CAT-scan from a second-hand machine, Georgia doesn’t bother to consult a specialist. And while her ailment is apparently curable, after a low-level HMO flunky denies her claim, Georgia abruptly decides against pursuing the matter any further. Either the girl’s got some sort of death wish, or she’s dead-set on getting to the second act. In all likelihood the latter applies, and good thing, too, because that’s when things get interesting — albeit, only mildly — in director Wayne Wang’s (“The Joy Luck Club,” “Maid in Manhattan”) remake of the 1950 film that starred the late Sir Alec Guinness.
You can probably venture an accurate guess as to why Georgia does not at any point appear to be dying. You would also be correct in assuming that she’s going to break out of her shell during her presumed last hurrah, and in the process learn a lot about herself while inspiring others with her newfound joie de vivre. Regrettably, “Last Holiday” is not much more than an intermittently funny, by-the-numbers chick flick that delights too much in excess and con-sumerism. What makes it worthwhile is the star, Latifah, who truly shines in a role that showcases her easy-going wit and infectious charm. At the very least, this is quite an impressive rebound from her disastrous turn in “Taxi.” It’s worth noting that before Tom Hanks started winning Oscars for weighty dramatic roles, he honed his skills in lightweight fare such as this. For Queen Latifah, who appears to have something special, “Last Holiday” represents an important step in what promises to be a long and meaningful career.
LL Cool J, also a former rapper turned thespian, does a fine job playing Georgia’s courtly suitor. Timothy Hutton and Gerard Depardieu also fare well in supporting roles. (RATED PG-13. RUNNING TIME: 112 MINUTES)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 13, 2006. Read the original PDF.