What We Did on Our Holiday
Published January 26, 2015
Film info
- Title What We Did on Our Holiday
- Directors Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin
- Year 2014
- Run time 1hrs 35m
- Genre Comedy
- Tagline Every human being on this planet is ridiculous in their own way
From the creators of BBC hit series Outnumbered comes What We Did On Our Holiday - the hilarious journey of an unforgettable family holiday as a couple attempt to keep their impending divorce secret from their extended family. Doug and Abi and their three children travel to the Scottish Highlands for Doug's father Gordie's birthday party, where it's soon clear that when it comes to keeping their secret under wraps, their children are their biggest liability.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 1:46 | Where does a kid get half a breezeblock from? |
| 3:22 | Kid that likes lists, I approve. |
| 5:53 | Jenson Button reference! |
| 10:69 | Ew, seating plan for extended family, hideous task. |
| 13:13 | Next time we have chips, I’m playing chip Jenga. |
| 18:08 | “It’s more than an iCloud, it’s an…” “iFog.” |
| 21:49 | “A lot of life doesn’t look very good written down.” |
| 27:53 | Never thought about the problem with applause in a connected house. |
| 30:31 | The girl kid overhears everything. Can’t get away with nowt! |
| 36:04 | Ostriches are terrifying. |
| 41:02 | It’s not quite Newcastle tourist board as Scottish Highlands, but hey, it is flipping beautiful. |
| 43:19 | “Just like Monopoly but with more screaming.” |
| 47:34 | Love that. All humans are ridiculous in there own way, so don’t judge. Fabulous message. |
| 49:39 | The granddad that cried wolf. |
| 59:03 | I get it now. What we did on our holiday. Sheesh. |
| 1:00:56 | It’s weird, but she’s right. He would be proud. |
| 1:09:20 | “There is a procedure for this kind of situation.” |
| 1:18:15 | Crikey, he did say she was mouthy. |
| 1:21:02 | “Just go chuck a pumpkin.” |
Conclusions
The film starts out just like the trailer, and there’s a clear Outnumbered influence as the three kids run riot whilst the long-suffering parents try to hustle them into a car for the holiday departure. Much of it is just family bickering, and David Tennant trying to fathom out what the heck his kids are talking about, but then it all changes.
The film takes a really weird and slightly dark turn, and from then on it is really fascinating. Where the ideas spring from, I can’t imagine, but it makes for a really interesting watch as this extended family deals with a huge event and tries to stick together. Really lovely, slightly odd, very much a surprise, and worth watching.
Rating: 4/5.
Be Kind, Rewind - Aug 2017
Accidentally rewatched this when it just started on TV after a sporting event had finished, and we totally got sucked in and couldn’t switch it off. Somehow, knowing that there was going to be a death on the beach made it all the better - instead of that dark twist, instead you’re really listening and learning and making the most of Connelly while he’s there.
I hadn’t particularly thought this was a film I’d want to rewatch, but on the second viewing I sort of fell in love with it all. Dysfunctional family just trying to deal with life, and everyone getting to an amicable resolution in the end. Wonderful.
Rating: 4 / 5