Heartwarming Journey of The Holdovers: Director Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” may not sound extraordinary, but it shines as one of his best films. Set in a New England private school in 1970, this heartwarming story captivates with humor and occasional touching moments, showcasing the strength of unexpected family ties.
Reuniting with “Sideways” star Paul Giamatti, Payne and screenwriter David Hemingson infuse a touch of “A Christmas Carol” into the lives of a handful of prep school kids stranded during the holiday break. These students can’t go home, and they need supervision during the two weeks encompassing Christmas and New Year’s.
Giamatti’s character, Paul Hunham, a history teacher who takes pleasure in tormenting his students, draws the short straw for this task. He’s assigned partly as punishment for failing a privileged student and partly because he has no holiday plans of his own.
Sharing this island of misfit toys are Angus (newcomer Dominic Sessa), whose newly remarried mother is on vacation with her wealthy new husband, and Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the school cook who faces an empty home after her son’s tragic death in Vietnam.
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Although “The Holdovers” transcends time and place, the carefully selected hairstyles, music, and pop-culture references provide an authentic 1970s ambiance.
While it’s evident that the relationship between Paul and Angus will thaw over their time together, Payne and Hemingson infuse the story with surprises, unexpected turns, and small revelations that flesh out the characters and the origins of their tough exteriors.
Giamatti delivers a delightfully snide performance, assuring a student that he can probably fail his class, given his assessment of the student’s work.
Although films of this nature have sometimes struggled at the box office, “The Holdovers” falls into a category reminiscent of John Hughes‘ classic “Planes, Trains & Automobiles.” It’s set during the holidays but not entirely about them, destined to become a perennial favorite and create its own traditions.
In this sense, the movie lives up to its title: “The Holdovers” captures your heart while reminding us that families are often defined by the bonds we create, not just those we inherit.
Our Reader’s Queries
Will Holdovers be on Netflix?
As someone who has searched high and low for surrogate father figures online, I can confidently confirm that The Holdovers is not currently available on Netflix or any other streaming platform. Despite featuring my real dad, Paul Giamatti, the film remains elusive. However, there is good news on the horizon – The Holdovers is set to make its debut on Peacock in the near future. Stay tuned!
Is The Holdovers a feel good movie?
The movie, “The Holdovers,” doesn’t try to be anything other than a heartwarming film. However, it’s infused with enough cleverness and irony to remind us that the characters are flawed, just like everyone else.
What school was The Holdovers filmed at?
To bring the fictional Barton Academy to life, five Massachusetts schools were utilized as filming locations. These included Groton, Northfield Mount Hermon, Deerfield Academy, St. Mark’s School, and Fairhaven High School.
Is The Holdovers streaming anywhere?
The Holdovers, a film distributed by Focus Features, can now be streamed exclusively on Peacock. Additionally, it is available for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Vudu and Apple TV+.