The Holdovers (2023)

8/10

dtswpod6 November 2023

Do you miss how they used to make films in the 1970s? Plenty of filmmakers do, except they take that nostalgia and just do watered down versions of better movies. As an example see Taxi Driver and King of Comedy then watch Joker and you'll get what I mean.

Thankfully, Alexander Payne has managed to take his sentimentality and make an original film out of it. Or if The Holdovers is a pale imitation of a superior picture then the filmmaker has managed to trick me because I don't feel as if I've seen this movie before but done better.

Now to be clear, there aren't things you've never seen before in the movie. I mean, you know the characters are going to bond at some point. And people will grow to care about each other. That's a given. How we get there, however, is what makes the film seem fresh and entertaining and ever bit as good as any flick made back in the day.

I hope more people see it.

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9/10

One of my favorite movies of 2023, as well as one of the best of the year

darkreignn29 October 2023

Let's just get this out of the way now - when it comes to writing this review, I'm probably a little bit biased (and a little bit drunk, currently, but that's besides the point). You see, I have an affinity for indie coming of age movies, and "The Holdovers" is basically an indie coming of age film, so it may - or may not - come as a surprise to you that I absolutely adored this picture. So, with that little preface out of the way, it's time for me to gush over this movie.

Starring none other than Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, Giamatti plays a professor at an all boys boarding school where, over Christmas break, he has the misfortune of looking over a group of boys, one of whom is named Angus, played by Dominic Sessa. After a rocky start, where Paul clearly doesn't get along with any of the boys, making his disdain clear and evident, he eventually finds himself alone with Angus - as well as with the school's cook, Mary Lamb, played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph - in an unexpected chain of events. What occurs after is a slice-of-life style piece of cinema that allows broken people to find comfort in each other's company.

"The Holdovers" is, without a doubt, one of my favorite movies of 2023, as well as probably one of the best movies of the year, as well. This Christmas-themed gem doesn't hold back on the drama, delivering a thoughtful blend of comedy, coming-of-age storytelling, and a touch of romance - all wrapped around a very raw, human plot-line that virtually everyone can relate to. I'm no spring chicken myself, but I found myself deeply connected to both main characters - one who is older and basically dejected with life as he knows it, and one who is younger but who feels lost, aimless, and disconnected from both family and friends. And admittedly, not everyone will have a direct parallel to these experiences, but even if you don't, you're in for a story that's bound to tug at your heartstrings... and make you laugh out loud in the process.

This is a high-quality movie - from the impeccable acting to the beautiful on-location cinematography to the relatable, thought-provoking plot, every element is executed with pinpoint precision and finesse; it's a testament to the art of storytelling on the silver screen. Director Alexander Payne knows how to create an artful film, and "The Holdovers" is no exception. It's at once indie and art-house while simultaneously being mainstream and easily accessible; in short, it's a film for everyone that actually feels like a genuine crowdpleaser instead of a pandering mess.

I'm having a difficult time describing what I liked about this movie, and the reason is because I liked almost everything about this movie. So why the 9 out of 10 rating instead of the perfect 10? Literally the only thing that's holding me back is because I would've liked a touch more romance; yes, there was romance here, but a bit more would've pushed me over the edge into 10 out of 10 territory. Besides that, this is basically a perfect film, one that I loved, and one that has become one of my favorite movies of the year, if not of all time. I am genuinely looking forward to rewatching this, and I can't wait until it becomes closer to Christmas so I can view this on my own TV, cuddled under blankets, with a glass of whiskey, and bask in the absolute heartwarming experience that is "The Holdovers." My recommendation: Do yourself a favor and watch this as soon as you can - you won't regret it.

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8/10

Life Affirming...

Xstal28 November 2023

Now here's a film with a life affirming theme, that should encourage most viewers to think of their dreams, and cascade away all their cloaks, inhibitions, and open fresh doors to their heart's intuitions; as a teacher whose life is as stale as dead fish, whose life is the opposite of happy and bliss, meets a boy who's ignored by all those he holds dear, and a friendship is formed that is warm and sincere; it's a subtle reflection of how we get trapped, by tradition and habits and past circumstance, where surroundings like prisons can temper our thinking, to distil all our spirit, to bottles for drinking; so embrace all the chances when they come along, break out of that mould and sing your own song, open your eyes to the paths unexplored, take a stand and stand tall, and stop being ignored.

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10/10

Deep Inside People's Hearts

aharmas29 October 2023

Here is a film that feels and looks like something out of the early seventies. The Holdovers is a strong and warm-hearted piece that gives actors roles with powerful lines, without any reliance on flashy editing and being overwhelmed by special effects.

The story is simple three people get stuck for the Christmas holidays in a boarding school. It's cold, lonely, and boring for the parties involved. The adults drink to cope with whatever pressures they live with. The young man resorts to bad behavior and altercations with the teacher in charge.

Through the vacation period these people will get to interact and get to know each other, something that will prove to a challenge to say the least. As the story evolves, we get to understand what has made the people who they are. We get to feel their pain and frustration through the very insightful writing of the director.

It's a strong film with superb acting by the main leads. They have great chemistry together.

Most outstanding is Paul Giamatti who plays the tormented and defensive man with relish and speaks volumes with his eyes.

Hope the academy honors his performance as the best the year because no one else so far is coming close.

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10/10

Sobbed Through Most of This Movie

evanston_dad20 November 2023

Mid-way through "The Holdovers," I started openly weeping in the movie theater, and I pretty much kept it up on and off for the rest of the movie. Sometimes, there wasn't even anything obviously sad or moving happening in the scene, and I still couldn't stop. I think it's because this movie is so kind, and kindness is a rare commodity these days. It's sad to think that a movie about characters learning to have compassion for each other and for the hardships they've been through should feel like such a rare beast, but here we are.

This is Alexander Payne firing on all cylinders as a director, and though he didn't write this movie, it feels like he could have. It's an obvious throwback to the kinds of movies Hal Ashby made throughout the 1970s and is touching in exactly the same way "Harold and Maude" was. It's also a master class in acting from the three principal characters played by Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da 'Vine Joy Randolph, and I hope all three of them, and the movie overall, is remembered come Oscar time.

This will easily make my top ten list for the year.

Grade: A+

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8/10

Substantial Beautiful Real

tdwillis-262737 December 2023

Finally......a GOOD movie. The story/script, although not a breakthrough idea, was heartfelt,full and real.

The settings were also real and gorgeous (not really a cgi fan) Camera, cinematography, lighting,sound,score....every level made my eyes and ears satisfyingly full.

Acting was oscarworthy across the board.

Directing was brilliant.

Only negative I can come up with is that the pace was a bit slow, but so much of the movie is so focused and so superbly and beautifully made I just sat back and enjoyed it.

A very thoughtful substantial and beautiful movie. A rare gem in today's superficial gimmicky movie making world.

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9/10

The Holdovers is a New Cult Classic

jjgonzalez-0642631 October 2023

Quite possibly one of the best Christmas films ever? I first saw Payne & Giamatti's previous film together, "Sideways" during my screenwriting training class, and it is one that I would think of for a while. Their new film, "The Holdovers", is hilarious, beautifully shot and acted, heartwarming, and has a great sense of grief and joy meshed together. Definitely leaning towards Randolph for Best Supporting Actress; her performance BLEW me away.

Overall, I love these films. Light-hearted & comedic while also have a sense of darkness and a lot of heavy emotion to it. Definitely is one of the most heartfelt films of the year.

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One of the best movies of the year.

JohnDeSando16 November 2023

"I find the world a bitter and complicated place. And it seems to feel the same way about me." Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti)

Teaching privileged boys at an elite new England prep school called Barton (think for example, Philips Exeter), might be the pinnacle of an academic's career. But not Paul Hunham in The Holdovers, an elite movie itself of the year.

Paul should be teaching classics at an ivy school, not teaching entitled "vermin," among the many sobriquets he tosses around about the fortunate young men to experience his brand of grumpy intellectualism and misanthropy. He prepares them for a world that won't always be coddling and protecting them as their family wealth so naturally does in their early years.

Director Alexander Payne worked with Giamatti in Sideways, so he is prepared to have another winning cynical character who is endearing while distanced by negative temperament from normally positive fellow humans (Paul's last name, Hunham, suggests a distant connection with the better angels of humanity).

As Paul accepts the assignment to supervise holdovers (exiled to Christmas vacation in the absence of parents or guardians), the number whittles down to just Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa, reminiscent of young, Timothy Chalamet and Adam Driver), who shares Paul's dark attitudes and, with the sharp writing of David Hemingson, some witty dialogue- e.g., about Paul he says, "I thought all of the Nazis had left for Argentina."

Although, as in likeminded dramas such as Dead Poet's Society or Goodbye, Mr. Chips, the principals are destined to be transformed into more humane characters, Holdovers continues, even in its denouement, to accentuate the unsunny side of life for Paul and Tully, whose fortunes are still compromised by cold-hearted parents and administrators. The chilly world, however, is warmed on these lovely, snowbound days, by women, viz., the cook, Mary (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and administrator Lydia (Carrie Preston).

Mary good-naturedly deals with the death of her son, Curtis, a Barton grad who had to join the military because he did not have the resources as other Barton grads of the late '60s did to avoid the draft.

Lydia, an attractive middle-aged staff member, holds the promise of a love interest for Paul, only to show how difficult it is for social exiles to enter the romantic mainstream.

The Holdovers is a small gem of a move that will immediately remind buffs about Hal Ashby comedies of the same era like Harold & Maude, where character development is paramount and detachment from the mainstream is required to look at humanity clearly with its foibles and endearments.

The Holdovers is a movie everyone can enjoy with endearing characters who share with us our moments about loneliness peppered with the possibilities of love and happiness.

"Do you think I want to be babysitting you? No. I was praying your mother would pick up the phone, or your father would arrive in a helicopter or a flying saucer...." Paul Hunham.

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7/10

The Holdovers - Brief Impressions

IVI42K011 November 2023

The Good:

The movie gives a wonderful homage to 70s filmmaking without overplaying its hand. The shots, the colors, the set, the 1.85:1 ratio, it all fits the bill without looking like major effort was put into it
The colors, the indoors v. Outdoors atmosphere, the wide shots of the boarding school and the snow are just wonderful. Some of the best I've seen in a while
All 3 major characters gave very respectable performances. Giamatti is on his usual A-game, Randolph brings a lot of nuance to the scenes she's in, and Sessa absolutely kills it considering it's his feature film debut
The movie has a very "feelgood" vibe to it. It is a perfect family viewing and, my bet is, in a few years, it will be considered a Christmas classic.

The Bad:

I was surprised it lasted 2h20min considering it felt like 3h20min. In terms of plot, it definitely covers more ground than I thought it would, but I think the slow setup kneecaps its pace a little bit
The plot is basic. Way too basic. There is a grumpy teacher and a rambunctious student, and they hate each other, but they're both kinda good people, and they are locked in a boarding school for 2 weeks over Christmas. What do you think was gonna happen
The late 60s folk choice was way overplayed. The same 2 minutes of the same Cat Stevens song is played 3 times. It desperately tries to get you to feel something, almost to a point where you feel a little cheesed about it

The Verdict:

Holdovers is a delightful "Christmas" movie. Even though you know where it is trying to take you, the trip ends up being quite pleasant due to strong cinematography and great main actors.

7/10.

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9/10

"The Holdovers" is a great Christmas movie

steiner-sam10 November 2023

It's a comedy-drama set from December 16, 1970, to the first week of January 1971 in an exclusive boy's boarding school in New England and Boston, Massachusetts. It follows the experiences of the "holdovers," that is, the students who cannot go home over the Christmas holidays and the two Barton staff left to supervise them during the holidays.

There are five holdovers: Teddy Kountze (Brady Hepner), Jason Smith (Michael Provost), and Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) are upper-class wealthy WASP students. Alex Ollerman (Ian Dolley) is a younger Mormon student whose parents are on a mission in South America. Ye-Joon Park (Jim Kaplan) is from South Korea.

Left to supervise is Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), an unmarried ancient history teacher who was once a student at Barton and has taught there all his career. He's a demanding curmudgeon who almost everyone dislikes. African American Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), the head cook, is also present; her son, a Barton grad, has just been killed in Vietnam.

The film follows the shared experiences of the holdovers, though four students leave after a week when a wealthy father takes them for a ski holiday. Paul cannot contact Angus's parents, so he must stay with Paul and Mary at Barton. We also meet the school's headmaster, Hardy Woodrup (Andrew Garman), his administrative assistant, Lydia Crane (Carrie Preston), and janitor Danny (Naheem Garcia).

"The Holdovers" is a delightful comedy leavened with wisdom as we learn the dark secrets that have shaped Paul Hunham and Angus Tully. Giamatti, Sessa, and Randolph are all excellent. The script unfolds the twists and turns superbly. "The Holdovers" is a great Christmas movie.

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6/10

A warmhearted movie with an endearing Christmas spirit, that has 1 problem though...

imseeg14 December 2023

I am big fan of director Alexander Payne (The Descendants, Sideways) and of actor Paul Giamatti in particular. Both have teamed up before with marvellous results, but this movie has got 1 problem that made me only rate it with 6 stars though:

The bad:the middle part of this story stretches out too long, with several quite tedious scenes, which could have easily been cut out of it without hurting the storyline. I started watching at my watch half way through several times because of this lack of spark and punch. Such a pity!

Fortunately this movie picked up momentum again towards the warmhearted Christmas spirited final, but I still will only award this movie with 6 stars (instead of 7) because I got bored at many moments during the somewhat tedious and long middle part.

The story: It's about a young student and his teacher, who both are lonely souls and although they cant stand each other at first, eventually slowly do bond with each other during a Christmas holiday. Acting by Paul Giamatti is masterful (as always), BUT some of the other actors fail to impress me.

Not the best of director Alexander Payne's work, but definitely still worth a watch, because it left me in my seat with a smile on my face and a feel good Christmas spirit of caring for one another!

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8/10

Sweet and Thoughtful

bdesdes30 October 2023

Very enjoyable film with outstanding performances and a wonderful warm vibe accompanied by the Christmas season. It's funny at times, sad at times, and feel-good. It's a story that almost all can relate to and will really touch your heart. It deals with so many themes, but mainly grief, the past, family, and what makes a person who they are. It's also very original and has a great script, cinematography, and soundtrack. I would highly advise to see it in the theaters as well as you really get the 70's vibe and deep moment on the big screen. There aren't many negatives to this film and I would recommend it to most people.

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6/10

Holiday dramedy is serviceable but bland; not one of Payne's best.

bastille-852-73154729 October 2023

Set in December 1970, "The Holdovers" follows a small group of students who have to stay on campus over the Christmas break at Barton Academy (a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts,) alongside a curmudgeonly ancient history teacher (Paul Giamatti.) That sounds like a potentially amusing premise for a breezy comedy-drama, especially when Alexander Payne is directing. Having greatly enjoyed and admired several of Payne's previous films such as "Sideways," "The Descendants," and "Nebraska," I was looking forward to this film. Overall, I found it to be simply fine and not up to par with the level of quality of most of Payne's films. There's nothing too wrong with it by any stretch of the imagination, but it's often generic and forgettable compared to Payne's other films.

An indie dramedy like this film would generally be expected to be defined by being character- and writing-driven. Unfortunately, neither the characters nor the writing here are especially unique enough to structure a compelling plot around. Paul (Giamatti's character) is very generic, as is the rebellious student Angus, whose relationship with Paul is a pivotal part of the film. On a better note, Da'Vine Joy Randolph gives a strong and impactful performance as Mary, a cafeteria worker dealing with bereavement; her character is interestingly more dynamic and multi-dimensional than either Paul or Angus. The writing and humor is less unique, funny, or engaging than many of Payne's films, as the attempts at plot devices, character development, and humor often boil down to insult comedy between Paul and Angus--which, ultimately, wears out its welcome a bit, and actually causes a bit of collateral damage in making the film's tone and story feel less sincere. Regardless of the sincerity of the story, another thing that is clear here is that there needed to be a stronger and less predictable core to the plot in order for the film to remain engaging for its 133-minute runtime.

The film's retro, 1970s-aesthetic is commendable and helps contribute to the atmosphere of the film, and there still are some sporadic sweet moments of Paul and Mary hanging out around the television and a few decent jokes here and there. So "The Holdovers" is a fine enough film, but it won't be a new holiday classic for me. 6/10.

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5/10

Not My Cup of Tea

arfdawg-126 December 2023

Lots of great reviews here. Many people who have seen Sideways seem to be excited that Giamatti has re-teamed with Payne the director.

Of course, the film is in no way related to the other movie, except that both were involved and that Sideways has quite a cult following.

Unfortunately this is not my type of movie. I'm not saying it's bad. And I'm not saying anything bad about the people who seem to love it. It's just not for me.

It's a character driven movie, which is fine, except I didnt bond with any of the characters. And I found the choice of musical tunes throughout to be annoying at best.

So if you like drawn out period piece character driven flicks, you may like this one. I didn't love it, but I could see how some might, hence the "5" rating.

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8/10

A Nostalgic Journey with Stellar Performances

akcenat1 January 2024

"The Holdovers" is a captivating blend of comedy and drama that beautifully explores the complexities of human relationships.

Story is about a grumpy instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who forms an unexpected bond with a troubled student during the Christmas break. Because it is set in the 1970s, the film in a way is a nostalgic journey back in time, but with a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The performances are exceptional, with Giamatti delivering a compelling portrayal of a man grappling with his own loneliness and the challenges of mentorship. The film's narrative is richly layered, exploring themes of loneliness, friendship, and personal growth. It's a story that resonates, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition. The film's setting in the 1970s adds a layer of nostalgia, further enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. Despite its lengthy runtime, "The Holdovers" mostly maintains a steady pace, balancing its dramatic elements with moments of humor and warmth. The main plus of the movie is its dialogue-driven approach that adds to its charm, creating a sense of authenticity and depth in its character interactions.

Overall, this is a film that leaves a lasting impression, offering a thoughtful exploration of human relationships set against the backdrop of a bygone era. With its exceptional performances and engaging narrative, I'm giving it an 8 out of 10 rating. It's a must-watch for those seeking a film that combines drama, comedy, and a touch of nostalgia.

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9/10

A Heartwarming Crowdpleaser

wclong-4906930 September 2023

When the director Alexander Payne appeared on stage following a screening of "The Holdovers" that I attended at the Toronto International Film Festival he received a standing ovation. That was not surprising because it's a heartwarming crowdpleasing film and one of Payne's best. It reunites Payne with Paul Giamatti who starred in the director's 2005 film "Sideways." Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph are superb and Dominic Sessa in his film debut is a brilliant find. Set during the holiday season in 1970 at a New England boarding school with a side trip to Boston "The Holdovers" shows how human connections that may seem unlikely can be transformative.

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8/10

entre nous

ferguson-68 November 2023

Warning: Spoilers

Greetings again from the darkness. We've all had that teacher. You know, the one with an evil streak who just seemed to thrive on making students miserable. Throw in a staff and administrators who feel the same way, and the casting choice for the teacher becomes obvious. Enter the always great and perfectly curmudgeonly Paul Giamatti. This is the first time Giamatti has worked with two-time Oscar winner Alexander Payne since their brilliant SIDEWAYS (2004), and it's clear these two share a wavelength for comedy and drama, even in throwback form.

Paul Hunham (Giamatti) is a long-time professor at Barton Academy, an all-boys private prep school located in the snowy northeast. It's December 1970, and an early scene exemplifies how he relishes the failing grades he bestows upon desperate students so afraid to disappoint their rich parents. In the final class before the holiday break, the student-teacher banter doesn't go so well for the boys, and they head to break with an extra workload. Hunham is easily manipulated into babysitting the titular holdovers - students stuck at school over the break, while most others spend time with family, often on exotic trips.

Initially there are five students, but after a certain development, what remains is Hunham, smart but troubled Angus Tully (first timer Dominic Sessa) and the school's head cook, Mary Lamb (a divine Da'Vine Joy Randolph, DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, 2019). Hunham is perpetually annoyed and has a weakness for booze. Angus is frustrated that his mother left him at school so she could travel with her new husband, and Mary is grieving over her son who was killed in Vietnam. Watching these three struggle to bond is a case study in psychology, yet of course we know they will ultimately form a family of misfits, depending on each other to offset the loneliness.

The genius tagline for the film is "Discomfort and Joy", and initially the first overshadows the latter. Isolated from the world in their own way, the three characters begin to influence each other, showing broken/wounded people need and deserve love and friendship as much as anyone else. "Entre nous" (just between us) becomes a kind of calling card for this trio, and a Christmas party thrown by an eternally optimistic staffer (Carrie Preston) is a turning point.

Giamatti is master of this material and only goes over the top a time or two. It's painful and humorous each time he is so anxious to infuse his breadth of ancient civilization facts into even the most mundane conversations. Newcomer Sessa possesses star potential and nails a complex first role. Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Mary is the heart of the film, doling out advice to Hunham and comfort to Angus. Depression is a vein running through these characters and it's acknowledged, though not the focus.

This is Alexander Payne's first film since the disappointing DOWNSIZING (2017), but his brilliance has been proven in ABOUT SCHMIDT (2002), SIDEWAYS (2004), THE DESCENDANTS (2011), and NEBRASKA (2013). This time he's working from a screenplay by successful TV writer, David Hemingson, and though there is never much suspense about where the story or characters are headed, we enjoy the ride immensely. Cinematography from Eigil Byrld (IN BRUGES, 2008), perfectly complements the emotions (shot on digital, graininess added in post), and the soundtrack is period-specific, including the great Cat Stevens. Pay attention to the retro opening credits and logos, and enjoy a smart and funny film (an Alexander Payne trademark).

Opening in theaters November 10, 2023.

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6/10

Ok - Not a Comedy

wendyficklin29 November 2023

Warning: Spoilers

I went into this movie expecting a comedy, and while I did have a few laughs, it was actually very depressing. There was nothing funny about the experiences of the characters, and the whole movie felt pretty mediocre to me. I started falling asleep at the final 20 minutes out of pure boredom. All actors were great in their roles, and I liked the setting and time period. I would not watch again, nor do I care what happened in the last 20 minutes.

The teen was on antidepressants. I'm no expert, but seemed a bit far fetched for early 70's. He visits his father in the psych ward, and the scene is so depressing and awful.

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10/10

They haven't made them like this in forever..

cparousis-306151 January 2024

Sad, poignant, funny, and beautiful are words that best describe this film. If this film doesn't make you feel sone kind of emotion, you are absolutely heartless. You love these characters. You feel for them on every single level. The film itself feels like a film from the 70s. The twists and turns the film takes are wonderful and heartwarming/heartbreaking. Paul Giamatti is excellent as always. This is Dominic Sessa's first film and he does an outstanding job. No crazy special effects or bloated explosions. Just great filmmaking. It's streaming on Peacock. An absolute holiday must. Take the time to watch it. You'll love it.

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7/10

Not quite Alexander Payne vintage - but alright

plupu6617 September 2023

I have always had a great respect for Alexander Payne. While an American director, his films (usually) stayed away from the typical American predictable, simplistic, good guy/ bad guy stereotypes and easy solutions.

The Holdovers has an interesting premise and interesting main characters: a nerdy history teacher, a troubled student and a sad cook. The depiction of high cost private boarding schools is pretty realistic and the characters are well contoured. There are some clever dialogues and some intelligently constructed scenes. The plot keeps one engaged from one end to another of the film.

Having said that, one leaves the cinema with the nagging feeling that this was not quite what one expects from Mr. Payne. In my opinion, he "sold out" to mainstream American cinema. The bad guys are really bad; the good guys, well, God bless them. There are some "deus ex machina" solutions (a helicopter landing on campus - really?) and the eventual explanations for everything going on was quite contrived and simplistic, in the good ol' Hollywood tradition.

A good film for a Netflix evening - definitely.

Something Mr. Payne can put on his resume along "Sideways" and "About Smith" - not so much.

PS: The film is rated R. Why? Because there are a few swear words and some people smoking and drinking?

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10/10

Alexander Payne makes the proverbial "return to form"

Quinoa198430 October 2023

The Holdovers is, for all of the character dynamics and dysfunction and depression and other things we find out about the leads, mostly with Mr. Hunham and Angus and how their characters over these couple of weeks turn away from the "Barton" way of not telling lies (because, well, sometimes context and the moment matter for telling a lie that won't really hurt, maybe), a strangely comforting film to watch. Not for all of that exactly, though what we understand slowly but surely is this is all material for comedy and tragedy in equal measure, but because of the feeling that we get with a filmmaker who is so primed and confident with material that you don't feel like it can go wrong.

What is more impressive is that, as enjoyable as the first half is, it is in the "I like this" mode as we are introduced to this world and Hunham and Angus and Mary, but it doesn't feel so special. But I should have known Payne and writer David Hemingson were laying down the necessary groundwork for what comes the moment a) the majority of the other supporting characters leave for reasons I don't have to mention here, and b) then the characters go outside the Barton campus grounds on a holiday party and then a "field trip" to Boston, you get the sense moment by moment and interaction by interaction it is so sharp and cutting and wise, and one scene in particular makes the jump into "oh, OK, this is taking off into another level of personal pain and about familial expectations and what will come with in a life measuring up to others - and why that is wrong - and... yeah, it's great" territory.

In other words, it's the kind of film I want to watch again right away simply because now that I know a little more about the characters, I'll want to experience all of the extra textures (its 1970 down to the wood paneling and the car seats), and dig a little more into those absolutely wonderful natural restrained and complete performances - we take Giamatti for granted sometimes and this is a character he should be proud of to craft, lazy-ass eyes and all; Sessa's first role and he is an immediate star; I can't be more sure of anything for the next Oscar's that, if Randolph is nominated, she will win, if nothing else for everything she does at the Christmas party scenes, and a moment looking over some objects in a room later on is so moving - and my comfort is in seeing Payne clearly loving directing this intimate character study where he can show what a comedically observant, quick witted, and heartbreaking story this all is.

It's one of the best Christmas movies in several years, embodying many themes and ideals that fit like a 70s wool sweater, and I'm sure the first thing Payne must have thought after reading the script was "whoa. This is gonna be the best Hal Ashby or Bob Rafelson movie never made... is 'The Last Holdover' too on the nose?" Even Hunham would give this... a B+ probably (did he ever give As? Shrug).

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6/10

Offbeat and proud of it

Mike_Devine28 January 2024

Among this year's best picture nominees are big budget blockbusters and obscure arthouse films. While 'The Holdovers' skews more towards the latter, it's kind of in a category of its own thanks to its noir comedy and intentionally dated aesthetic.

The Massachusetts-based tale of students who are stuck at a Catholic private school during Christmas break and the unlucky teacher who's asked to babysit them (Paul Giamatti) is equal parts funny, tragic, serious and sarcastic. The main rivalry on screen is between Giamatti's Paul Hunham and Dominic Sessa's Angus Tully (are we sure that wasn't the name of a GoT character?), the former being an elder educator whose life has seemingly passed him by and the latter being a troubled young man who's one strike away from going to military school. The relationship that develops between the two over the two weeks depicted here is pretty much the roller coaster you'd expect. But don't forget Da'Vine Joy Randolph, whose portrayal of Mary, a lead cook who is grieving the loss of her son, is raw yet sweet.

The film itself is offbeat to say the least. There are laughs to be had, sure, but 'Holdovers' is much more of a "thinking" movie that has plenty of messages hidden within the halls of the dated school. The resolution at the end of the film is also bittersweet, but fitting. As for the cinematography, it's unique in that you feel like you're transported back into the 1970s and could be forgiven for thinking the film wasn't actually produced a half-century ago (although this trend should really not continue if we can help it).

While it's not going to win best picture, 'The Holdovers' gets points for trying something different in the current sea of cinematic sameness.

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4/10

NOT a comedy

belxo29 November 2023

Whoever labeled this a comedy, failed this movie. If we had known it was just a Drama, we would've been prepared better and maybe wouldn't have watched. Dramas are not our favorite genre but sometimes they're just so good it doesn't matter, but when you go into a movie thinking it's also going to be comedy along with the drama elements and all you get is drama ONLY.., with maybe two laughs in the whole movie... you leave disappointed and not satisfied/liking a movie, that was otherwise well made if labeled correctly as a Drama, nothing more. The actors did good with their roles, again, if you are into dramas and you watch this knowing it is NOT a comedy, it's a decent movie for what it is. It is NOT a cheerful, laugh out loud throughout, with the typical drama thats added for a touching Christmas movie,... so if that's what you are looking for, this is not it, go elsewhere.

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10/10

Clichés for Christmas - but so what?

euroGary19 October 2023

One does not expect a Christmas film to be challenging, and this one certainly isn't. But it is a lot of fun.

A boys' boarding school empties of almost all staff and pupils for the 1970/1 Festive Season. Left behind are Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), the unpopular history teacher who has to keep an eye on the school; Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a teenaged pupil whose mother does not want him on her honeymoon; and Mary Lamb (the impressively-named Da'Vine Joy Randolph), the school cook who is facing her first Christmas alone since her son died on military service. As these three lonely souls come together, there are tantrums, emotional revelations, the revealing of long-hidden secrets, a noble sacrifice... the usual stuff.

Also the usual stuff are the characters: Paul is cynical and frustrated; Angus is ironic and insecure; and as Mary is overweight and black, she of course has to be sassy.

But while in some films such predictability would be annoying, it works here. Within the limits of their somewhat two-dimensional personalities, the characters are well-written - even Angus' tantrums do not seem unreasonable. Plus, there are some great gags ("You hit him? You mean you punched him out?" "No, I hit him with a car...") And I will not be the only viewer who finishes the film with a lump in his throat.

Great fun. I can easily see myself buying the DVD and watching this for many Christmases to come...

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8/10

Resonates on many levels, with Paul Giamatti at his very best

paul-allaer20 November 2023

As "The Holdovers" (2023 release; 133 min.) opens, it's 1970 and we are at the Barton HS boarding school in New England as the Fall semester wraps up. Paul Hunham, a teacher of classical studies and a curmudgeon, gets summoned by the head of school, and is told he will take charge of the 4 or 5 "holdovers", students who for one reason or another, cannot go home and need to stay at the boarding school for the entire Christmas break... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from director Alexander Payne ("Sideways", "The Descendants"). Here he brings to the big screen what life is like in Fall of 1970 among a group of privileged HS students along with their testy classics teacher and a Black woman who runs the kitchen. On the surface of it all, this looks to be a terrible combination, but as the movie plays out, more and more is revealed. The movie is plot-heavy and I shan't say another word on that. Paul Giamatti, a regular of Payne's prior movie work, brings what I feel is one of his strongest movie roles ever. Da'Vine Joy Randolph is outstanding as the Black kitchen supervisor with a heavy heart. Dominic Sessa is frankly too old (33 in real life) to play the rebellious HS student Angus (17 in the movie), I mean, it's really really obvious. That said, Payne just hits all the right notes in this film, and this resonated with me on so many levels. Despite the serious undertones, there are quite a few funny moments in the movie as well.

"The Holdovers" premiered a few months ago at the Telluride film festival to immediate and widespread critical acclaim. There is good reason why this is currently rated 87% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati the weekend before last. The early Sunday evening screening where I saw this at was attended so-so (about 12-15 people). If you are in the mood for a top-notch comedy drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

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