The Holdovers
2023
•
Comedy / Drama
•
2h13
More infos
Summary
Nobody likes teacher Paul Hunham (Giamatti) -- not his students, not his fellow faculty, not the headmaster, who all find his pomposity and rigidity exasperating. With no family and nowhere to go over Christmas holiday in 1970, Paul remains at school to supervise students unable to journey home. After a few days, only one student holdover remains -- a trouble-making 15-year-old named Angus, a good student whose bad behavior always threatens to get him expelled. Joining Paul and Angus is head cook Mary (Randolph)-an African American woman who caters to sons of privilege and whose own son was recently lost in Vietnam. These three very different shipwrecked people form an unlikely Christmas family sharing comic misadventures during two very snowy weeks in New England. The real journey is how they help one another understand that they are not beholden to their past-they can choose their own futures.
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Public Opinion
1.4k reviews
7.9/10
7.9/10
The Holdovers captivates with its blend of humor and drama, creating a poignant Christmas tale of unlikely companionship among a grumpy professor, a troubled student, and a grieving cook. Viewers praise Paul Giamatti's performance and the film's ability to evoke emotions without falling into sentimentality. The dialogue is notably sharp, and the setting effectively conjures a nostalgic 1970s ambiance. However, some find the plot predictable and the pacing slow, though the overall human connection and character development are highly appreciated.
👍 Paul Giamatti's performance is a standout.
👎 Some may find the plot predictable.
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