Neil Hoskins
8/10 Excellent. All three main protagonists in top form. Funny and poignant in equal measure. The emotions rang true as I have recently read Richard Beard's "Sad Little Men" about British private schools.
Movie spotlight
The Holdovers
2023
Movie
133 min
English
A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
Insights
IMDb7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users96%
Director: Alexander Payne•Genres: Comedy-Drama, Period Piece
Plot Summary
In the 1970s, a curmudgeonly boarding school teacher is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to supervise students with nowhere else to go. As unlikely bonds form, he navigates strained relationships with his students and a grieving school cook, leading to unexpected personal growth and connection amidst the isolation.
Critical Reception
The Holdovers has been widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for its heartwarming story, stellar performances, and nostalgic portrayal of a bygone era. It's often praised as a return to form for director Alexander Payne and a standout film of its release year.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its sharp, witty dialogue and poignant character development.
Celebrated for its authentic period detail and a strong sense of nostalgia.
Lauded for the exceptional performances, particularly from Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph.
Google audience: Audience reviews consistently highlight the film's humor, emotional depth, and the captivating chemistry between the main actors. Many appreciate the nostalgic feel and the satisfying character arcs.
Awards & Accolades
Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) and received nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Paul Giamatti), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Da'Vine Joy Randolph also won the Golden Globe and BAFTA for her performance.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on vintage 35mm film stock, using cameras and lenses from the 1970s, to enhance its period authenticity and aesthetic.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
My Review
TMDB Reviews
10 reviewsrsanek
Never finished it. Really disappointing compared to the hype.
tmdb47940942
I didn't care for The Holdovers. It was funny at times, and it was a good film, just not my cup of tea. But because it wasn't my cup of tea, I don't really have much to say about it. So I'll sum up a review that hasn't been written yet. TL;...
CinemaSerf
Anyone remember John Houseman's professor "Kingsfield" in "The Paper Chase" (1973)? Well, that's who Paul Giamatti reminded me of here with his portrayal of the acerbic, no-nonsense, ancient civilisations lecturer "Hunham". It's the last da...
Ritesh Mohapatra
The Holdovers is a thoughtful, sweet and pleasantly heartwarming film which feels like an old warm hug My Score : 92/100 "The Holdovers" is heartwarming tale of unlikely friendships. It's the kind of movie that lingers with you, gentl...
pimpskitters
We have all seen this nonsense before. A grumpy old man and a wisecracking youngster find ways to heal each-other over the course of one sensual holiday season. Maybe if this was the first one of these I have ever seen I would feel differen...
badelf
Awesome heartwarming Christmas cheer. Loved the pacing, loved the tempo of the reveal, and loved the character arches. Not sure it's as repeatable as Wonderful Life or (original) Miracle on 34th. Ask me in a few Xmases.
Brent Marchant
Heartwarming films for the holidays are something we’re all supposed to love, right? Well, if you’re talking about the works of directors like Frank Capra, George Seaton, Michael Curtiz and Chris Columbus, you’d be correct. But, since it’s ...
Brent Marchant
Heartwarming films for the holidays are something we’re all supposed to love, right? Well, if you’re talking about the works of directors like Frank Capra, George Seaton, Michael Curtiz and Chris Columbus, you’d be correct. But, since it’s ...
Manuel São Bento
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/the-holdovers-bfi-london-film-festival-review/ "The Holdovers left me in complete disbelief at how complete, thought-provoking, hilarious, and emotionally powerful it becomes with each ex...