Georgia is a sales clerk who works in Kragen's Department Store in New Orleans selling cookware. Cooking is her passion. She is a huge fan of Emeril, but also of Chef Didier (Gerard Depardieu), who is famous for his culinary creations that grace the Grand Hotel Pupp in Europe. She creates scrumptious meals in her spare time, but barely tastes them, denying herself and only eating Lean Cuisines. Instead, she feeds her young neighbor ands his grandfather. She has a secret crush on a handsome co-worker named Sean Matthews (LL Cool J), who also admires her. One day, as the two are chatting and Sean is about to ask her out, she bumps her head on a cabinet and has to be taken immediately to Kragen Clinic. It is there that she is diagnosed with a rare brain disease called Lampington's Disease, which basically means she only has weeks to live.
Georgia then decides to make her final weeks count and books a whirlwind trip to the Grand Hotel Pupp, hoping to make some of her dreams come true. She abruptly quits her job and leaves town, shocking her friends and family. While at the Hotel Pupp, she happens to spot Matthew Kragen (Timothy Hutton), tightwad owner of the department store where she works, along with his mistress, Ms. Burns (Alicia Witt). Coincidentally, Senator Dillings (Giancarlo Esposito) from her hometown and Congressman Stewart (Michael Nouri) are also staying there, conspiring with Kragen. Could something shady be up?
Georgia is mistaken for a wealthy power player, because she is throwing so much money around, and there are lots of humorous moments that happen because of this. Soon, her sweet ways and incredible love of life win over everyone, all except for the stingy and selfish Matthew Kragen, who is determined to discover her true identity at all costs. Most taken with her is Chef Didier, who just can't get over a woman who has such a zest for life and enjoys his culinary delights, with all of the buttery goodness they were designed to have!
Although there are some touching, sad moments, overall the movie is very sweet and funny. Queen Latifah is wonderful as always and Last Holiday is a true holiday delight. While there aren't any extra special features over the earlier DVD release (and one even seems to be missing - the recipes of Last Holiday), what's there is about standard. There are two deleted scenes and three featurettes discussing the making-of, etc. Last Holiday isn't exactly one of those movies that demands high-def presentation, but it does look good and there are some beautiful vistas in the film, especially at the Grand Hotel Pupp and the surrounding areas. However, I did notice some spots weren't exactly crystal clear. Sound was good, but typical surround sound fare. Basically, it's a terrific movie. Whether you want it on Blu-ray or not will have to be a personal decision. If you won't mind missing the recipes, then this version is going to be of a higher quality than the standard DVD release, so let that help you make your decision.
