About the film (courtesy of Focus Features):
The Holdovers follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is a heartwarming and insightful film about the power of human connection. Set in a New England boarding school during the 1970s holiday season, the film follows three unlikely friends as they find solace and support in each other.
Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is a cynical and discontented history teacher who is forced to stay at the school over the holidays after failing to find a last-minute replacement. Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) is a lonely and troubled student who has been abandoned by his mother for her honeymoon. And Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) is the school cook who is grieving the loss of her son in the Vietnam War.
Despite their differences, Paul, Angus, and Mary form a deep bond over the course of the film. They share meals, confide in each other, and help each other to heal. Through their friendship, they learn to let go of their past, embrace the present, and find hope for the future.
Payne’s script is full of humor, warmth, and wisdom. He creates characters that are both relatable and flawed, and he tells their story with honesty and compassion. The Holdovers is also visually stunning, with lush cinematography and evocative set design.
Giamatti, Sessa, and Randolph give all-star performances. Giamatti is perfectly cast as the curmudgeonly Paul, and he brings a great deal of depth and nuance to the role. Sessa is heartbreaking as the troubled Angus, and he gives a breakout performance. And Randolph is radiant and soulful as Mary, and she brings a much-needed sense of joy to the film.
The Holdovers is a film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it. It is a film about friendship, love, and the importance of human connection. It is also a film that is full of hope and optimism.
In addition to its heartwarming story and strong performances, The Holdovers is also notable for its thoughtful exploration of themes such as grief, loss, and forgiveness. The film shows how even the most unlikely of people can find comfort and support in each other, and how even the most difficult challenges can be overcome with love and friendship.
One of the things that makes The Holdovers so special is its authenticity. Payne and screenwriter David Hemingson have clearly done their research on the 1970s era, and the film is full of realistic details that bring the story to life. Starting with the uber-authentic opening credits, to the period-specific costumes and sets to the slang and pop culture references, this film is a truly immersive experience.
But more importantly, The Holdovers is authentic in its portrayal of human relationships. Paul, Angus, and Mary are all complex and flawed characters, but their friendship is real and believable. We can see ourselves in them, and we can relate to their struggles and triumphs.
The Holdovers is a must-see film for anyone who enjoys heartwarming comedies with a touch of depth. It is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and think. It is a film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it. Get your heartstrings tugged in theaters when this film expands its theatrical release nationwide starting Friday, November 3rd.
