The Holdovers is a comical, instantly rewatchable holiday treat
Filmmakers who take big swings deserve appreciation for taking the risk, even if the swing results in a miss. Director Alexander Payne (Nebraska) took such a swing six years ago with Downsizing, a polarizing if not much-maligned film. Thus, it was refreshing to hear the promising news that Payne was reuniting with his Sideways star, Paul Giamatti, for a new dramedy. The Holdovers is as sad, clever, and intelligent as the best of Payne’s work, but with a surprising lighthearted touch that places it firmly amidst some of the most classic holiday films, and amongst the filmmaker’s best work.
The Holdovers is set at Barton Academy, a fictional all-boys prep school in rural Massachusetts, during the winter of 1970. A long-time professor of ancient history at the school, Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is assigned the task of overseeing the school property and the few students who, for various reasons, have nowhere else to go and are subjected to remaining at the school for the two-week winter break. One of those students is an astute troublemaker, Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa). Also staying at the school is the head cook, Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), whose son recently died fighting in Vietnam. Once the other kids find a way to leave, Angus is the lone remaining student, and the trio of Angus, Paul, and Mary are now forced to spend Christmas and New Year’s together.
The cast, like in many of Payne’s films, excel in the minute details of naturalistic banter and playing off each other’s quirks. Sessa is making his screen debut, and though his first few scenes find the character (and the acting) slightly over-punctuating the line delivery, he settles in once left alone with Giamatti and gives a solid performance. Giamatti is fantastic as a literary curmudgeon, throwing out hysterical insults and historical references at will with charm and an entertaining meanness. The Paul Hunham character isn’t far removed from Miles, the character he played in Sideways — just substitute ancient history for wine and the snowy grounds of New England academia for warm Santa Barbara vineyards. Angus and Paul have their stirring moments together, featuring dialogue written beautifully by David Hemingson (Whiskey Cavalier), where their shared bleak outlook on society gives way to introspection and emotional thawing. In the end, however, it’s hard to leave The Holdovers without a deep appreciation for Randolph’s performance, which has already earned her a front-runner spot in the Best Supporting Actress Oscar race. From the moment she’s on screen, she envelopes the heart and soul of the film and then gradually manages the hysterics of the two male leads without sacrificing her own emotional development.
The Holdovers is a Christmas movie. The oft-debated criteria aren’t debatable here (note: Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie). What does The Holdovers have: Takes place at Christmas? Check. Snow? Check. Christmas imagery? Check. Christmas music? Check. A heartwarming message? Check. Does it also have a funny Hanukkah shout-out? Check! It’s easy to predict that The Holdovers will have a solid place in the annual holiday film lineup due to its charming character arcs, mellow vibe, and wintry setting. Well, at least in the film lineup for adults and “hormonal vulgarians,” that is.
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The Holdovers is currently playing in limited release, and opens wide in theaters on Friday, November 10th.
