14. The Holdovers; movie review

 

THE HOLDOVERS

Cert 15

133 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language, brief nudity

The phrase voyage of self-discovery has become a cliche in the movies, but in the hands of Paul Giamatti, it bursts out of its stereotype.

The Holdovers is an unlikely feel-good hit because of the audience's initial connection with its characters.

The star turn is an ultra-grumpy, middle-aged teacher (Giamatti) of ancient history who deserves to be loathed because he is spiteful and rude to everyone at the boarding school where he works.

He is landed with the short straw of looking after a small group of boys who, for various reasons, cannot go home for Christmas.

They include an unexpected addition in Angus (Dominic Sessa), an older student whose mother calls him at the last minute to say she is going on vacation with her new boyfriend.

Angus, who is super-smart but 'a pain in the ass', is distraught at having to stay behind, but his woe becomes even more profound when his fellow holdovers suddenly disappear on a skiing trip.

This leaves him to spend Christmas and the New Year with a teacher he loathes and the school cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), whom he barely knows.

The added kick in the tail is that it is the first festive period since her son was killed in the Vietnam War.

Thus, two of the most uptight males in the building and a bereaved mum have to negotiate the best part of a fortnight together with nothing in common other than their predicament.

The Holdovers may be an unlikely concept for an Oscar contender, but David Hemingson's script is beautifully crafted, and Alexander Payne's direction is wonderfully precise.

Giamatti is one of Hollywood's unsung heroes and is gloriously curmudgeonly before his character's exterior melts.

Sessa is bursting with indignation as the world conspires against him before a broader awareness is bestowed.

Most subtle is the development of Randolph's cook, transforming from uncommunicative and tough to caring, almost loving.

The extra nuance is that The Holdovers, set in 1970, has an artificial grain and faux scratches to make it appear that it was filmed that year.

It all makes for a heady comedy-drama that elicits laughs and empathy.

Reasons to watch: Giamatti is terrific

Reasons to avoid: Lack of action

Laughs: Four

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Many of the scenes were filmed at Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven, Massachusetts during a February break. It was luck that there was a snowstorm at the time, providing the perfect Christmas backdrop.

The final word. Paul Giamatti: "There was a lot that I knew that I could draw on. The background that I have, people in my family who are teachers and academics, and I went to a school like this, that's all true." Screen Rant

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