Getting older is realising Jack Black is the best love interest in The Holiday.

As a teenager, The Holiday was always my favourite Christmas movie. 

I'd always wanted to be a journalist like Iris, to be as fun and ambitious as Amanda, and, of course, to date someone as charming as Jude Law's character Graham. 

I mean… a dishy book publisher who loves his beautiful children??? What more could a girl ask for? He's even hot as Mr. Napkin Head, for goodness sake. 

Stunning, no notes. Image: The Holiday

So, each and every year without fail I tune into The Holiday, and every year I lust after the gorgeousness that is Jude Law in this film. Let's be honest, we all do. 

However, as I've gotten older, I've noticed a seismic shift in the way I experience this film. 

The old me would happily tell you that I just 'didn't get' Iris and Miles' love story. 

For one, Iris' unconventional love triangle always used to give me the ick (I mean how embarrassing to be all 'googly eyes' over a man who is literally getting engaged to someone else???). Let's say it together: Jasper is gross. 

This man is not cute enough to be the womaniser he is. Image: The Holiday.

I also never felt like Iris' love story with Miles was given the airtime and space to develop. 

Honestly, I paid more attention to her sweet friendship with elderly film writer Arthur than I did to her burgeoning romance with Miles, played by Jack Black. 

'Miles, shmiles,' a younger me would have told you.

You can go doom-scrolling on your phone during their scenes. Plus, truly, half the movie she's obsessed with Jasper and he's obsessed with Maggie. Like, ew.

Meanwhile, Amanda and Jude Law jump straight into the heavy throes of romance — consequences be damned — and it's overall a more exciting watch. 

But here's the thing. 

These two just can't keep their hands off each other, and honestly, I too am obsessed with it. Image: The Holiday.

My 'old age' (I am the ripe old age of 29) has taught me a lot about life and love, and over the years I find myself drawn further towards Iris' slow-burn romance with Miles. 

Now, he's no Jude Law in the 'Hollywood heart-throb' department, and his character's wardrobe could use some serious work, but there's just *something* about him. 

Jack Black's portrayal of Miles is proof that nice guys don't finish last, at least not in the end. 

My fresh eyes show me that Miles spends time with Iris, he hangs out with Arthur's friends, he's funny, affable, charming and smart. 

Cute, reliable, funny. Miles truly is the best love interest and my mind cannot be swayed on this. Image: The Holiday.

Their love story may not be the hot-and-heavy, can't-stop-thinking-about-you whirlwind that is Graham and Amanda, but honestly, in my experience, most of the time those ones are for a good time and not a long time. 

I mean, Amanda and Graham literally sleep together when he comes into the house completely wasted after being at the pub with his friends, to which he admits he's done a lot of lately. He's not a tosser in the film, but it's my experience that that is definitely tosser behaviour. 

Meanwhile, Iris and Miles learn to love each other through friendship first. They both need to get their hearts broken a few times to find something truly special (and someone who will treat them the way they deserve to be treated). 

Miles helps Iris become the main character of her life again. He adds to it. And that is the man you want to end up with, ladies. 

Like, he literally wrote her a song with all the very best notes. That is love.

In all these moments, in my 'old age', I find myself forevermore drawn to Miles. 

I find myself embarrassed that, like Iris, I didn't see that the best part of this film was standing right in front of me until the bitter end. 

So yes, I agree, Jude Law is utter perfection in The Holiday. But it's my firm belief that on closer viewing, and with the benefit of time and wisdom, you'll agree that Jack Black truly plays the best love interest in this movie. 

And with that, I rest my case. 

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Featured image: The Holiday.