Holiday, written and directed by Isabella Eklof 8.7 out of 10

Holiday, written and directed by Isabella Eklof
8.7 out of 10


I am not sure about the 'value added' by HBO, seeing as I am not a fan of the recently deceased Game of Thrones- actually, I have even tried seeing the first episode and was not jubilant as a result, although I must add that I have given up almost all series anyway.

Nevertheless, Cinemax 1 and 2, part of the HBO package, offer much more than the other three 'main' channels in the offer.
The other day, it gave us Holiday and many more before that - if interested, you find notes on these features (and books) at realini.blogspot.com

Perhaps paradoxically, the critics seem to have loved this motion picture, while the audiences have been less impressed.

With an average Metascore rating of a notable 80 out of 100' we have The Hollywood Reporter considering it perfect, with 100 - all will be out of 100 - while Variety gave it a still excellent 80, just like the Los Angeles Times.
Against the almost resplendent background of Bodrum, a port in Turkey, we have what seems to be a horror story, at least once the climactic point is reached.

Victoria Carmen Sonne is notable in the leading role of Sascha.
Up to a point, she seems the prototype of the innocent victim, the quintessential prey of the villain.

Her boyfriend is a drug dealer.
It could be argued that even when she becomes aggressive herself, the heroine is just expressing the anger, frustration and abuse that she has accumulated in the company of this monster.
On the other hand, why hasn't she left him?

Fear can be one explanation.
The Stockholm syndrome may be another.

This drug lord beats her a few times.
If we finish the extenuating circumstances, we can accuse the girl of being somewhat greedy.

She was dazzled by the rubies the rich man offered her.
The villa where they enjoy this splendid setting on the coast is lavishly furnished.

Opulence is the word.

Then, at one point, the Goodfella declares he wants to buy an yacht.

And he does not want a 'regular' less ostensible boat.
Like the Russian oligarchs, who have embezzled their fortune, he wants something huge.

In opposition to this creature, we have a young man who has left the sales job back in the Netherlands.
Thomas is the nemesis of the ruthless, despicable Michael.

On the other hand, he is also vicious to Sascha, when he says she is mad and they both make him sick with their appalling behavior...words to that effect.

First, Thomas would pay dearly for this insult.
Second, is it an insult?

Because moments before, the drug dealer had just told his girlfriend to take her panties off, with their guest next to them...
Thomas has decided he does not want to live in a consumerist society.

He has chosen the freedom of the oceans.
Selling his apartment, he has bought a vessel, not the Russian tycoon type, evidently.

But he has come across Sascha and thought she is 'available'.
They had had drugs on the beach.

And the woman 'belongs' to the Beast.
And unlike The Beauty and the Beast, this is not the scenario where temporary physical ugliness hides an Apollo.

Actually, Michael is quite handsome...in appearance.
But he is the ultimate contradiction of the Thin Slice Theory, albeit, if he manifest himself, within seconds it is clear that this is the quintessential Tyrannosaurus Rex.