The Holdovers is an instant Christmas classic that will find a permanent place on many holiday watchlists. Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti, who starred in director Alexander Payne’s Sideways) teaches at the prestigious Barton Academy. Disliked by the students and his peers, Hunham is forced to spend the Christmas break watching over the boys who are holding over at the school during the holiday season. Over the two weeks, he bonds with one of them along with the school’s cafeteria manager.
The latest film from Payne feels like it is from another era. This goes beyond the opening title cards and grainy look that are straight out of the 1970s. There is a charm to The Holdovers that is rarely seen in cinema today. The plot is the type of homespun yarn that pulls audiences in while the characters are deep and authentic.
But what truly makes it stand apart is how grounded it all feels. Much has been written about how 2023 has seen waning interest in superhero movies. This certainly seems to be the case, but the success of Barbie, M3GAN, and The Super Mario Bros. also showed fantastic stories were still the most popular ones at the box office.
Strong performances by Giamatti, Dominic Sessa as brainy troublemaker Angus Tully, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name) as Mary Lamb anchor the movie. Hunham is one of the most unforgettable characters of the year. Scarred by past events in his life, the stern history teacher also has a strong moral compass. Giamatti imbues Hunham with humor, compassion, grace, and an endearing no nonsense attitude. He seems to have all the answers, but refuses to address the questions that surround his own life.
Tully is more than just the troubled brainiac harboring secrets that explain his crazy antics. In his first major role, Sessa holds his own and plays off his co-stars perfectly. Much like Hunham, Tully has a quick wit and a big heart, but he is also a growing teenager who is trying to navigate his way through life. The interactions between Hunham and Tully are some of The Holdovers best moments.
Randolph not only manages to keep up with her two co-stars, a strong argument can be made that she steals the show. Mary is something of a centering force for the others. Though she is suffering through her own personal trauma, Mary is able to dispense helpful advice and her presence alone is enough to make sure Hunham and Tully are kept in check.
The Holdovers is an emotional ride that never feels manipulative. The pacing patient allows every moment and each character time to fully develop. Everything feels important and comment and action is part of a bigger meaning. The final moments hit the hardest as the movie cements itself as one of the best movies of 2023.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.