Last Holiday
2006 — 1h 52min — PG-13 — Comedy
Director
Wayne Wang
Writers
Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman
Actors
Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Gerard Depardieu
Synopsis
When Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) finds out she has three weeks to live she decides to pursue her dreams with the time she has left. She breaks free from her quiet life and takes her dream European vacation. Along the way, she inspires everyone she meets with her straightforward wisdom and kindness.
Redemptive Analogy
What would you do if you only had three weeks to live? Georgia Byrd’s answer is to finally take her long-desired European vacation. And, instead of becoming bitter or angry, she approaches her death with wisdom, grace, and kindness toward everyone she meets. In this story, we watch a Jesus-follower with nothing to lose embody Him in her interactions with everyone she encounters.
Conversation Starters
In your own words, ask a few of these questions during the natural conversation after the movie.
Possibilities
Georgia has many unfulfilled dreams at the start of the movie. Have you ever put together anything like Georgia’s “Possibilities” book?
Possible Response
“May God grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!” (Ps. 20:4) Scripture encourages us to bring our plans before the Lord and trust in His good plans for us. (Prov. 16:9, Matt. 6:33, Jer. 29:11, Rom. 8:28)
Three Weeks to Live
Early in the movie, Georgia’s doctor tells her she has three weeks to live. What would you do if you received the same news?
Possible Response
The Bible speaks of living fully in faith, trusting in God’s promises, and the brevity of life. Reflect on how your faith shapes your responseand consider sharing transparently how this news would influence your priorities. (Rom. 14:8, John 14:1-3, James 4:14)
Unnoticed Beauty
In the hotel lobby, Georgia asks the clerk, “Don’t that ceiling ever just make you want to cry?” Why do we overlook beauty?
Possible Response
In the Parable of the Sower, we see why we often overlook beauty: the hard-packed path shows a lack of understanding. The rocky ground reflects fleeting attention, and the thorns represent life’s distractions. These conditions prevent us from noticing beauty. (Matt. 13:3-9, 18-23)
Good or Bad
While giving advice to Ms. Burns (Kragen’s assistant), Georgia has this insightinto people like Kragen, “They’re never bad people. They’re greedy people. They want a little bit of this, a little bit of that…” Are people inherently good or bad?
Possible Response
The Bible is clear: every human is sinful. “None is righteous, no, not one…. No one does good, not even one…. For all have sinned and fall short.” (Rom. 3:10, 12, 23) Yet there’s good news! “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”(Rom. 5:8)
Butter
Jokingly, Chef Didier says the secret of life is butter. More seriously, what’s your secret of life?
Possible Response
Pray about sharing your testimony here. How is Jesus your life’s secret?
Don’t Jump
Matthew Kragen is not the best of people. What motivated Georgia to want to talk Kragen off the ledge? What would you have done?
Possible Response
Jesus taught us to love our enemies. And we’re called to rescue those in danger, and sacrifice for others as Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. Faith calls us to act, even for those we struggle to love. (Matt. 5:44, Prov. 24:11-12, 1 John 3:16)
Secrets Exposed
Georgia tells people what they don’t want to hear and exposes their secrets, but she does it in such a way that they love her for it. How?
Possible Response
Georgia speaks truth in love, showing compassion even in her bluntness. She considers others’ feelings, using her words to build up rather than tear down. She also reveals hard truths in a way that fosters healing andunderstanding, not hurt. (Eph. 4:15, Phil. 2:3)
Mr. “Possibility”
When Georgia disappeared, Sean started investigating why and then sought her out to tell her the good news that she wasn’t dying. What’s the best news you’ve ever shared with someone?
Possible Response
The word “Gospel” literally means “good news.” Sharing the news of Jesus Christ – that He died for our sins, offering redemption and eternal life – is the best news any one can hear. It brings hope and transformation, pointing us to God’s love and grace. (John 3:16, Rom. 5:8, Heb. 9:28)
Character
Does Georgia’s experience learning she is going to die change her character or reveal it?
Possible Response
Georgia’s experience reveals her true character rather than changes it. Her courage, generosity, and joy align with biblical principles, like gratitudeand valuing relationships over possessions. Her crisis exposes her heart, revealing her eternal perspective and peace. (1 Thess. 5:16-18, Luke 12:15, James 4:14)
Finishing Well
At the end of the movie, Chef Didier reminds her, “Remember, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” What does he mean?
Possible Response
Chef Didier’s words echo the Gospel: your past doesn’t define you. Jesus accepts you as you are and transforms you into who He created you to be. Georgia’s story shows this—finishing well means letting God work in your life. (Rom. 5:8, 2 Cor. 5:17)