The Holdovers is going to make a phenomenal Christmas film. Not to say Alexander Payne’s first film since the ill-fated Downsizing isn’t good; it just seems out of sync with the release calendar. That said, his newest movie offers an authentically heartwarming story about makeshift families—an undertaking worth appreciating at a time when Hollywood’s heart is elusive and cold.
Paul Giamatti is Paul Hunnam, a cynical and disliked teacher at the prestigious boarding school Barton Academy in the early 70s. Simply put, he’s a rule-follower and disciplinarian whose small power trips leave him alone in the world. Not to mention, he has a drinking problem (an almost nonissue in the 70s).
As the students and faculty prepare for winter break, Paul is appointed as the guardian for the kids who stay on campus during the winter, colloquially known as the “holdovers.” But this year, the only holdovers are Paul, the head cook Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), and an intelligent yet insolent student named Angus (Dominic Sessa). The trio forms a motley crew—they’re each at a distinctive milestone in their lives, and, like many movies before this, they meet at an unsuspecting juncture to learn more about one another and themselves. Still, with all the cliches, Payne avoids making a formulaic happy-go-lucky movie.
Sessa’s breakout role and Giamatti’s dedicated portrayal of the disillusioned classicist deserve genuine praise. But, the critical performance is Randolph’s Mary, a grieving mother who lost her 19-year-old son during the Vietnam War. She balances anguish with tenacity seamlessly, dealing with bratty kids and all-encompassing grief. Though not the main character, she’s arguably the most compelling.
That’s not to detract from the main arc, either. The Holdovers delivers a touching and consistently funny story with deeply relatable characters who are strikingly honest. Ultimately, The Holdovers blends feel-good and sorrowful themes thoughtfully to make a rewatchable flick. But the next watch will likely be over the holidays. R, 133 min.
Limited release in theaters, followed by wide release
