The Holdvers is a film that strikes a perfect balance. It's a hilarious tale of mischief and a poignant reflection on loss. It's a product of the time period it's set in and relatable today. It's a Christmas movie but it's relevant year-round. It's rated R but you can watch it with your family. This is the type of movie that easily could have been some campy, sappy b-movie that tugs on your heartstrings. The premise of three people - a detested professor, a struggling student, and the school's cook - being left behind at an upscale New England boarding school at Christmas is something that could easily be a Hallmark movie. At the end of the movie, without giving too much away, everyone gets what is right for them, whether it's a happy ending or not. That's one of the best things about Holdovers. It really is a Hallmark movie that's actually very, very good.
The acting in this movie is stellar. Paul Giamatti is in the lead role as Paul Hunhum, the professor. This was the performance of a lifetime. He fit into the role quite naturally. The young student, Angus, is played by Dominic Sessa in his first ever movie role. The third member of the cast is De'Vine Joy Randolph, who is exceptional in her role as Mary, the school's head of cafeteria. While she could have had a bit more screen time, her performance was completely believable. The bonds formed between each part of this unlikely trio are delightful. Not only is the acting fantastic, the screenplay is excellent as well. It's an essential part of the aforementioned balance, and it masters both the humorous and emotional scenes.
One of the unique elements of The Holdovers is how it's made to look as though it were made in 1970, the year in which it is set. The grainy footage, the general cinematography, the music selection, the credits and studio logos gave a real sense of authenticity. Not only does it look and sound like a 1970s movie, it also narratively resembles a film from that time rather than one being made today. Watching this movie in theaters did not feel like watching a brand new movie, it felt like watching a rerelease of an underappreciated classic. Perhaps at some point it will have its place in the canon of Christmas classics watched and loved every year.
This was my favorite movie of 2023, and my personal pick for Best Picture.
The acting in this movie is stellar. Paul Giamatti is in the lead role as Paul Hunhum, the professor. This was the performance of a lifetime. He fit into the role quite naturally. The young student, Angus, is played by Dominic Sessa in his first ever movie role. The third member of the cast is De'Vine Joy Randolph, who is exceptional in her role as Mary, the school's head of cafeteria. While she could have had a bit more screen time, her performance was completely believable. The bonds formed between each part of this unlikely trio are delightful. Not only is the acting fantastic, the screenplay is excellent as well. It's an essential part of the aforementioned balance, and it masters both the humorous and emotional scenes.
One of the unique elements of The Holdovers is how it's made to look as though it were made in 1970, the year in which it is set. The grainy footage, the general cinematography, the music selection, the credits and studio logos gave a real sense of authenticity. Not only does it look and sound like a 1970s movie, it also narratively resembles a film from that time rather than one being made today. Watching this movie in theaters did not feel like watching a brand new movie, it felt like watching a rerelease of an underappreciated classic. Perhaps at some point it will have its place in the canon of Christmas classics watched and loved every year.
This was my favorite movie of 2023, and my personal pick for Best Picture.