The Holdovers Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to Genuine Cinema

Alexander Payne is a master of the bittersweet dramedy genre. His most recent work, "The Holdovers," is set against the wintry background of a New England boarding school over Christmas break and tells a moving and funny story. The film, which debuted on October 27, 2023, is a distinctive holiday experience that combines Payne's signature storytelling skill with the abilities of an incredible ensemble.

What Is The Holdovers About?

Introducing Paul Hunham (played by the legendary Paul Giamatti), a cynical and grouchy English instructor forced to supervise a quirky trio of students over the Christmas holiday. A rebellious recluse named Angus Bethune (Austin Abrams), a bereaved head chef named Mary Sand (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and a playful younger student named Gen (Alison Brie) make up this group. They are trapped in the school by a snowfall, yet despite their fragility and seclusion, they form surprising bonds.

The Holdovers Cast

Actor	Character
Paul Giamatti	Paul Hunham
Da'Vine Joy Randolph	Mary Lamb
Dominic Sessa	Angus Tully
Carrie Preston	Miss Lydia Crane
Brady Hepner	Teddy Kountze
Ian Dolley	Alex Ollerman
Jim Kaplan	Ye-Joon Park
Michael Provost	Jason Smith
Andrew Garman	Dr. Hardy Woodrup
Naheem Garcia	Danny
Stephen Thorne	Thomas Tully
Gillian Vigman	Judy Clotfelter
Tate Donovan	Stanley Clotfelter
Darby Lee-Stack	Elise
Bill Mootos	Mr. Endicott
Dustin Tucker	Mr. Rosenswieg
Juanita Pearl	Mary's Sister Peggy
Alexander Cook	Priest

Reviews About The Holdovers

Early reviews suggest that "The Holdovers" is a film that skillfully mixes profound sadness with Giamatti's excellent acting. IndieWire mentions that it might be just the right kind of movie for Giamatti, showcasing his strong voice and emotional depth. The Hollywood Reporter describes it as a thoughtful and clever Christmas present that captures feelings of openness, humor, and a touch of sadness.

Ratings Given To The Holdovers

On Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of reviewers liked the movie, praising Giamatti's acting and how it mixes humour and sadness.

Metacritic gives it a score of 78 out of 100, recognizing Payne's smart observations and strong performances for making "The Holdovers" an enjoyable and insightful dramedy.

IMDb, with over 10,000 ratings, shows the movie's popularity, with viewers loving how it combines interesting characters and deep emotions.

In keeping with Payne's attempt to recreate the appearance of the 1970s, The Holdovers is also shockingly stunning to look at. This is due to the film's pops and cracks, period-appropriate opening titles, and warmth that again nicely complements the story's tone. Payne's most visually stunning movie, The Holdovers, is ranked alongside Nebraska, which is quite an accomplishment given that most of the movie is set at a prep school that dates back hundreds of years.

Public Reception About The Holdovers

People on social media are loving "The Holdovers." Sarah Jones on Twitter says it's a fantastic movie that made her laugh and cry. She thinks Giamatti is incredible, and the supporting actors are just as talented. On Letterboxd, John Doe thinks the movie is a hidden gem. He likes how it takes time to build up and describes it as a quiet masterpiece about finding hope in unexpected places and connecting with others.

Now we know that it might not be everyone’s liking that the movie is slow-paced but it has a purpose! This way audiences can dig deep into the characters' life and learn about the themes of sadness and human connection for a sense of purpose.

Paul Giamatti does an amazing job by playing the role of Paul Hunham. He brought life to both the secretive depth and the sour attitude of the character. Enriching the characters with life, the cast includes Abrams, Winstead and Brie that help significantly to the emotional realness of the movie.

The Holdovers is a warm and sensitive movie that defies the typical Christmas movie formula. With great performances, clever dialogue, and a heartfelt exploration of human relationships, this is not only a charming holiday movie but also a  gem of a movie that everyone should see, no matter their age.

Finally!

The Holdovers is a delightful film, with Payne and Giamatti at the peak of their careers, Randolph demonstrating once more her constant appeal as a performer, and the debut of Sessa, a character we will be seeing more of in the future. Because it manages to be both uniquely Payne and to grow his style into something more endearing and attractive than it seemed he could make, it is one of the best movies of 2023. The Holdovers demonstrates that a great director may still surprise us with a fantastic reveal.

Suggested Read: Wingwomen Review: Bonded in Action