Holdovers Movie Review – Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Director: Alexander Payne
Writer: David Hemingson (Screenplay)
Cast
- Paul Giamatti (Jungle Cruise)
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Lost City)
- Dominic Sessa
- Carrie Preston (Space Oddity)
- Brady Hepner (The Black Phone)
Plot: A cranky history teacher at a remote prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go.
Runtime: 2 Hours 13 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: The Holdovers starts when a cranky boarding school teacher Paul Hunham (Giamatti) gets assigned to babysit the children left at Christmas. He reluctantly agrees, and with grieving chef Mary Lamb (Randolph) are looking after five kids. One of which is Angus Tully (Sessa) who only learns last minute he isn’t going home joins the other four students.
When events change, Paul is left with only Angus and Mary. The three must make the most of the festive holidays, where they all start learning more about life. However, the adventures take them to places nobody believed they would be coming.
Verdict on The Holdovers
The Holdovers is a comedy-drama following a cranky teacher forced to babysit the children not going home for Christmas. It starts with them not getting along and soon they start learning the life problems they have faced. All while working together to have one of the best Christmases ever.
This is one of the most enjoyable movies of 2023, with three of the best performances of the year. Paul Giamatti shines throughout the film, and Dominic Sessa makes a great introduction for himself. However, Da’Vine Joy Randolph is out of this world, she plays a grieving mother who shows a string of emotions throughout the movie.
When it comes to the story, it brings us an enjoyable tale of finding out more about life. While most of the focus is on Paul and Angus’ story, they get to learn a lot without knowing anybody else. Meanwhile, the smaller side story with Mary steals your heart and brings a tear to your eyes.
Final Thoughts –The Holdovers is one of the most enjoyable movies of the year.
