In Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” we find ourselves immersed in the quiet corridors of Barton Academy during a chilly '70s Christmas break. Paul Giamatti delivers a tour de force performance as Professor Paul Hunham, a man whose gruff exterior conceals a tender heart. When a handful of students remain at the school over the holidays, including the sharp-witted Angus (Dominic Sessa) and the grief-stricken cook Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), their lives intersect in unexpected ways.
Payne’s lens captures the vulnerability of these characters, revealing their shared humanity. The film deftly avoids clichés, opting instead for genuine moments of connection. If Hunham is the reluctant father figure, Mary becomes the grieving mother, and Angus, the precocious teenager. Together, they navigate life’s unpredictable currents, leaving us with a warm, lingering feeling—one that echoes long after the credits roll.
The Holdovers is a heartfelt embrace, reminding us that friendship and understanding can emerge from the unlikeliest of circumstances.
I think they should have focused more on the investigation part rather than dragging this with character conflicts.
