A Brief Dissertation On Why Jude Law's Character In THE HOLIDAY Is A Christmas Miracle
Graham as daddy is biblically sound
As a romantic comedy historienne, I’m well versed in the hunky dream men of Christmas cinematic lore, from the irresistible cheeky chappy (Vince Vaughn in Four Christmases) to the lowkey insufferable mama’s boy (public enemy #1, Everett Stone, in The Family Stone). But this year (the last year we the people were allowed to pretend for even a second that men as a whole aren’t the entire problem) highlighted now more than ever that Jude Law’s character in The Holiday may have been the last high-quality 10/10 man who brought something to the table.
As someone who has viewed The Holiday enough times to have Kate Winslet’s sushi order memorized, something about the way Jude Law reluctantly grumbles “Yes, I am daddy” hit differently this year. Surely, Jude understood he stirred the loins of the international female audience everywhere so deeply that he was unleashing a weapon of mass seduction? I guess his four baby mothers and seven kids would be evidence of yes. But as someone who silently tried to risk it all for Sir Jude despite the fact that I was dressed like a butler at the time, I can say with the honesty required of Christmas, I literally cannot blame them.
Ho ho hoes, let us gather ‘round, and appreciate the reasons Graham of Rosehill is a true Christmas miracle.
1. Graham is stupid hot
I mean, we’ve got to start somewhere right? When he stumbles drunkenly into Iris’ idyllic wooden cottage door, never forget Cameron Diaz’ tightass character Amanda Woods found Graham so insanely hot that she cancelled an international flight. The blue eyes, the boyish curls, the stupid little dimples that should be illegal. Y’all (the internet) told me I simply had to watch Tell Me Lies, and the only thing that show taught me is that the arc of justice has bent oh so far away from Hollywood’s once impossible beauty standard, at least as it pertains to men.
2. Graham supports other women
From his girlboss mommy to his talented sister, Graham is a hashtag ally in a far more effective way than the dudes itching to tell us they voted for Kamala just by treating Amanda like a nuanced human being as opposed to his vacation plaything. He respects his mama bear for being an independent queen when they were growing up (he never even mentions his old man, mind you), he looks up to his little sister Irish, and he takes pride in caring for his two little princesses who have brushed hair and cute outfits, all before YouTube tutorials for girl dads were a thing.
3. Graham is a consent king
Times have gotten so dark that we have to applaud this singular line: “Call me old fashioned, but I don't believe it to be appropriate to have sex with a woman who is unconscious.” for obvious reasons.
4. Graham paid for all their dates
Graham invites Amanda to the pub, the adorable fine dining lunch in the gardens, and a catered NYE event at his very posh apartment, all without asking ever daring her to go halfsies. How do I know this? Amanda was such an unfiltered bitch she would’ve called him poor to his face during her list of reasons they shouldn’t be together. There’s no way she didn’t remain marked safe from brokies. Funny how courting is conveniently the one thing patriarchy gave up control of without a fight.
5. Graham is emotionally intelligent
The unabashed “I love you” (followed by not getting mad when she doesn’t say it back), the demure tears, the not introducing his daughters to his latest slay of the week out of precaution for their innocence. Graham is miles ahead of the men on Hinge who boast about their being in “therapy” (as if addressing mental illnesses is a flex, like an expensive car). Graham is the type of guy who did the therapy, preferred drinking about it instead, but always made sure to hire a reliable nanny to watch his girls and jump right back into daddy mode, even hungover. Daddy of the year, indeed.