The Holdovers
A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school 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 — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
- Released: 2023-11-10
- Runtime: 133 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Stars: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Preston, Gillian Vigman, Dustin Tucker, Bill Mootos, Paul Giamatti, Dan Aid, Colleen Clinton, Brady Hepner, Jim Kaplan, Michael Provost, Andrew Garman, Naheem Garcia, Stephen Thorne, Tate Donovan, Alexander Cook, Liz Bishop, Cole Tristan Murphy, Will Sussbauer, Carter Shimp
- Director: Alexander Payne
Comments
- LukeCustomer2 - 20 June 2024
Glad I waited for streaming
I was dying to see this movie but I didn't want to pay for it. Finally I saw it was on a streaming service, but sadly, it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.
Ultimately I didn't like "the message" of the movie. Which to me is, I guess, that this old guy should take a nasty fall in life so a student, he has known for two weeks... doesn't get put into military school for.. I think a short time. The movie seems to be trying to make a point about taking risks but, since they don't show what happens to the teacher, I can't see it as a positive. I have a strong feeling about what happened to an unlikable teacher without real degrees that smells like fish - and it isn't going to be pretty.
I had also heard about how immersive this movie was to the 70s (its time period) err... no. The suits men were wearing were glaringly distracting as modern and dialog had people saying "I get it" -- no one said that in the 1970s.
Finally, I thought at least 20% of the movie was pure filler that could have been cut. At least I got it on a streaming service so I could fast forward.
It was a good movie but not a great movie that I would probably watch over again. - DirkDiamond - 6 June 2024
Great, right up until... spoilers
I enjoyed watching this film through it's beginning, and middle, for the most part, then towards the end it felt like they didn't know quite how to end it any longer.
The relationship building element of it is quite lovely, and appeared to be going in a direction wholly different to where it ended up taking itself. All good right up until a cinema visit, the young lad attempting to slip away unnoticed, spoiler bit here, to visit his Dad, no longer dead, but in a mental health institution of some kind instead, which lead to... ah, that'll do! Really disliked the end.
The movie just lost it's way in that moment, and drifted away in a way that felt a lot like very lazy writing. Ran out of ideas to meaningfully develop the story, and bring it to a meaningful close, instead taking it in a direction that was under developed and didn't fit. I did wonder if they had changed the writer for the last part of the movie, in some vein effort to explode it somehow, and change pace to some extent. The dialogue in the last half was quite cringe worthy, compared to what came across at the start. Again, the movie just lost it's way!
With consideration to the time frame described, even the good aspects weren't particularly convincing. - don-parker-49-331024 - 18 May 2024
Color, craft and, above all, story
The Holdovers" is an outstanding film that effortlessly captures the spirit of the human experience, enhanced by the careful use of color throughout. Paul Giamatti delivers a stellar performance, brilliantly portraying a teacher who is as complex as he is compassionate. The setting of a 1970s prep school during the Christmas break provides a rich backdrop for a story that is as much about the bonds we form as it is about the walls we break down.
The film's color palette subtly reflects the emotional arcs of the characters, with warmer hues in moments of closeness and cooler tones during times of conflict and isolation. This thoughtful use of color adds depth to the narrative, making the viewer's experience more immersive.
The chemistry between Giamatti and the young cast is palpable, particularly in the interactions with the troubled student Angus, played with remarkable depth by Dominic Sessa. Their journey from mutual distrust to a deeper understanding is both touching and authentic.
Director Alexander Payne, known for his ability to blend humor with poignant drama, does not disappoint. The film's pacing is perfect, allowing the characters' stories to unfold in a way that is both engaging and deeply moving. The cinematography captures the era with a nostalgic glow, while the soundtrack perfectly complements the mood of each scene.
"The Holdovers" is a film that resonates long after the credits roll. It's a reminder of the transformative power of empathy and the unexpected lessons we learn when we're willing to look beyond the surface. A must-watch for anyone who appreciates finely crafted cinema.
