Name: The Holdovers
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: 2023-10-27T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Preston, Brady Hepner

Paul Giamatti’s face contorted in equal parts exasperation and reluctant affection as he watches Dominic Sessa’s Angus Tully attempt to skateboard down a snowy New England sidewalk—this is the heart of The Holdovers, a film that finds warmth and humor in the most unexpected places.

Alexander Payne’s dramedy, set in 1970, follows Paul Hunham (Giamatti), a curmudgeonly classics teacher at Barton Academy, who is stuck supervising a handful of students—including the rebellious Angus—during Christmas break. The film’s strength lies in its quiet, character-driven moments. Giamatti delivers a performance that is both hilariously grumpy and deeply touching, perfectly capturing Hunham’s gruff exterior and hidden vulnerabilities. His scenes with Sessa are particularly compelling, as the two actors navigate the complex dynamics of their reluctant mentorship.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph steals the show as Mary Lamb, the school’s head cook grappling with the loss of her son in Vietnam. Randolph’s portrayal is raw and emotional, bringing a depth to the film that elevates it beyond its comedic elements. Her breakdown at Lydia’s Christmas Eve party is a standout moment, showcasing Randolph’s ability to convey profound grief with subtle, powerful acting.

Payne’s direction is steady and sure-handed, allowing the story to unfold naturally. The film’s setting—a snowy New England prep school—is beautifully captured, adding a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. The pacing is deliberate, giving each character and their relationships room to breathe. However, the film occasionally feels uneven, with some subplots—such as Angus’s infatuation with Lydia’s niece Elise—falling flat or feeling underdeveloped.

The Holdovers excels in its exploration of themes like grief, isolation, and the search for belonging. It tackles these heavy subjects with a light touch, blending humor and heartache in a way that feels authentic and resonant. The film’s greatest accomplishment is its ability to make us care deeply about its characters, even when they are at their most difficult.

That said, the film’s reliance on dialogue-driven storytelling can sometimes feel overly talky, and the humor, while charming, isn’t consistently laugh-out-loud funny.