User Reviews

The Holdovers is a pointless film. The producers obviously said it was too much like Dead Poets Society (1989), so bizarrely got rid of all the other holdovers, implausibly, with the bonus of cutting the acting budget - then forgot to change the title to The Holdover. Also - didn't all of the original student group urgently need to improve their grades whilst being Christmas 'holdovers'? It was looking promising till then, but ultimately the story had no resolution. The goggley-eyed (has Giamatti's eye condition become a lot worse?) unlikeable teacher didn't even get the **** teasing old GILF, or the ugly/sulky Jewish lad her daughter. Neither the student, or teacher, seemed to have changed or learnt anything by the end of the film - not that the young lad ever seemed unruly, and certainly nothing like a lad who'd "been expelled three times." Overrated: 5/10.

A Warm Refuge for the Lonely: The Unexpected Connection in The Holdovers250114 (3.0)"To me, the world is a harsh and incomprehensible place. I’m sure the world feels the same about me. In that sense, we are alike." It is right to be lonely, yet within that solitude dwells a boiling heat. This story is cruelly hopeful and irresponsible, yet undeniably warm. Set at Barton Academy, a prestigious boarding school in 1970, Paul Hunham is the "one-eyed dinosaur" teacher everyone avoids. A graduation-year alumni himself, he is forced to supervise the "holdovers"—students with nowhere to go for Christmas. Among them is Angus Tully, a brilliant but rebellious boy whose mother abandoned him during the break to go on a honeymoon with her new husband. Angus hides a deep wound; he constantly searches for an old photo of his original family, unable to move past the childhood he **** group includes Mary, the cafeteria manager mourning her son Curtis, a Barton grad who died in Vietnam because he lacked the money for college. As the snowy holidays pass, the friction between the rigid Paul and the cynical Angus begins to wear down. We learn that Paul’s eye condition and body odor made him a lifelong loner, and that his academic career was ruined by a wealthy roommate who plagiarized his work. The emotional turning point occurs during an unauthorized trip to Boston, where Angus visits his father, Tom, who is actually alive but suffering from severe dementia and schizophrenia in a mental hospital. Paul realizes they share the same struggle against a world that has treated them unfairly. In a final act of sacrifice, Paul takes the blame for the trip to save Angus from expulsion, losing his job but finally finding the courage to step out of the "well" of Barton Academy. His parting words, "Do your best. You can do it," carry the weight of a hard-won, genuine bond.

The Holdovers is a nice, heartwarming film. The characters are layered, well-written and most of them are at least somewhat relatable. Although there are a few who I just hated, and they made terrible choices. The story is pretty unpredictable and heartwarming. The cinematography is beautiful. This kind of framing is something I'd love to see a lot more. The cast is good with the actors delivering amazing performances. Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa are incredible. The Holdovers isn't as good as some people say in my opinion, but it's still great.

A surprisingly good drama. It's also Christmas themed, so great to watch around that time of year. The acting is really good in this film and the filming style is very unique.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

The Holdovers là phim tâm lý sâu sắc, hài hước và đầy cảm xúc về ba con người cô đơn tìm thấy sự kết nối bất ngờ trong kỳ nghỉ lễ.

The appropriate title alone makes it clear that this is a portrait of the "leftovers" who - each in their own way - are special and struggle with their life situation. The characters are not unsympathetic, although their interaction is initially characterized by mutual resentment and rejection. In his film, Alexander Payne shows very sensitively that it is very enriching in life to deviate from your preconceived opinions and allow for the different forms of human coexistence. He doesn't leave out the fact that such characters are all too often put into drawers from which they can no longer be let out. A film that makes you think and is worth watching.

The Holdovers es una joyita de esas que parecen pequeñas, pero te golpean directo al corazón. Alexander Payne dirige esta historia ambientada en los años 70, donde un profesor gruñón (Paul Giamatti), un estudiante rebelde (Dominic Sessa) y una cocinera en duelo (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) se quedan atrapados en un internado durante las vacaciones navideñas.A primera vista parece una simple comedia triste, pero debajo de las bromas y los insultos inteligentes hay una historia sobre soledad, duelo y segundas oportunidades. Giamatti se roba la función con su humor seco y su mirada de “odio a todos, pero los entiendo igual”. Randolph aporta el alma emocional, y Sessa brilla como el adolescente que todos fuimos (o temimos **** ritmo es tranquilo, la fotografía te hace sentir dentro de un vinilo antiguo, y el guion tiene ese tipo de diálogos que parecen simples, pero se quedan contigo. En resumen: un abrazo agrio, cálido y honesto para quienes sienten que las fiestas no siempre son felices, pero sí humanas.

This original screenplay feels like a true story. The characters are relatable. The dialogue is natural. The unfolding of events that move the story along is engaging. Comedy and drama, emotion and conflict, tragedy and restoration are all woven together in a deeply human story. The Holdovers is one of those, ‘peel back the layers of the characters’ movies. As the days of ‘holding-over’ progress, each character’s shell begins to crack and we begin seeing deeper into each of them. This is done masterfully in both writing and acting. The small cast enables the story to develop each of the three main characters, and you feel connected to them by the end of the film. This had to have been written based on some real-life experiences. Paul Giamatti’s work in the development of Paul’s character is complex. Worthy of his Oscar nominee, Giamatti is skillful and carries the film on his shoulders. Dominic Sessa (Angus Tully) rises to the occasion, and alongside Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Mary Lamb) the trio makes a powerful cast. The film stands out from the usual movies people go to watch. And that’s a good thing. We need more original stories like this one, that speak to the realities of life and the many layers underneath our masks that make us human. The Holdovers is a simple a solid film, not designed to keep you on the edge of your seat or in shock and awe… just a great film. About an hour in, you suddenly realize how much you actually are enjoying this sort of obscure and random film. By the end, you are pleasantly surprised at the quality of filmmaking you experienced.

#TheShortHandCritic: #TheHoldovers is not your normal Christmas movie. Neither was #Carol but at least that was a brilliant film. Here, we have a unique premise. Students are left at a school during Christmas break, and a lonely teacher and cafeteria worker are left to care for them. What it tries to say is something meaningful—when we look back is it the softer moments after our burnout that push us the most on our life journey? Was it worth it or should we have moved on sooner or stayed?Unfortunately, the film doesn’t go the distance with this theme—perhaps for fear of becoming too melodramatic. Yet more drama is what we need. The bleak cold wintery feeling is set up nicely with vintage 1970s browns in the set dressing and overall direction of the picture. There’s just not enough substance in the situations involving the characters. This is particularly true for #DaVineJoyRandolph’s character. She doesn’t have enough to do and this lack of usage is a blaring mistake. Are the performances great? Yes. Particularly #PaulGiamatti who has us to almost tears near the end. The general absence of sentimentality works in the films favor at times, not in others. It’s not funny enough, it’s not sweet enough, it’s not dramatic enough. There’s just not enough of enough. This doesn’t mean it should have went over the top. Better films that’s tone feels similar are #HaroldAndMaude and #AlmostFamous. Still, it’s a well-intentioned film and worth a watch when and if the mood strikes. For now “The Holdovers” doesn’t seem as if it will be as easy to remember as it could have been. However, if time is surprisingly good to it (which can happen) another half a star can be added. Needless to say, this past year has not been the most excellent for film. Where’s the substance? Where’s the real raw heartbeat? How very telling for our time. ️️1/2 (Out of 4 Because 5 Stars Are For Restaurants & Hotels Only.) #FilmReview #ShortHandCritic

Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) muss zur Weihnachtszeit in seiner Privatschule bleiben. Er ist alleine mit seinem verhassten Geschichtslehrer Herr Hunham (Paul Giamatti) und der Köchin Mary (Da’Vine Joy **** Film spielt in den 70-er Jahren. So ist der Film auch von den Bildern her gefilmt. Paul Giamatti hätte für den Film den Oscar gewinnen müssen. Giamati hatte übrigens einen der besten Schauspieler als Lehrer nämlich Alan Rickman. Giamati spielt einen unsympathischen Lehrer, welcher aber fair ist und eine gute Seite hat. Angus ist ebenfalls unsympathisch hat, aber ebenfalls eine gute Seite. Der Film lägt, besonders Wert auf gute Dialoge. Viele Sets gibt es hier nicht, nur die Schule und paar andere Sets. Dem Film wird vorgeworfen, dass hier nicht passiert. Wenn man es mit heutigen Filmen vergleich, stimmt, das zwar. Für viele Leute die eine schnelle Handlung haben bzw. gewohnt sind und das jede Sekunde etwas Spektakuläres passieren muss, wird diesen Film nicht **** Holdovers ist ein schöner, emotionaler Film für die Weihnachtszeit. Der Film hat eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit mit dem Filmklassiker und Meisterwerk Einer flog über das Kuckucksnest.10/10

Nicely done character based drama that pulls at the heartstrings. Some outstanding performances, though I felt it a bit unrealistic that they all forgot their respective places and went on a buddy road movie towards the end. Reminded me of "Dead poet's society", though not quite up to the same standard.

A warm cup of tea for the Christmas season, rich with a nostalgic flavor. It may taste slightly bitter at first, but the lingering aftertaste is nothing but sweet.

Película redonda por donde se mire. Toma el viejo tópico del profesor y el mal alumno, pero le da una vuelta de tuerca interesante.

At the dawn of the 1970s, a few unlucky students and a strict, solitary teacher pass the winter holidays in a New England boarding school. The kids have been ditched on-campus by their unsympathetic families, a small troupe of stray black sheep, while the persnickety instructor has ruffled so many feathers in the administration that he’s hardly surprised to be tasked with supervising the unwanted leftovers. Nobody’s happy to be there, nor are they pleased about their selection of roommates, and as the skies turn cold, gray and overcast, so does the mood. During the following days, this little social circle shrinks as all but one of the students find an escape clause, then expands to include a grieving cafeteria manager and a big-hearted janitor. The Holdovers flounders until the crusty, lazy-eyed teacher (Paul Giamatti) extends a hand of support and friendship to the emotionally unsteady lunch lady (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and the two develop a strong mutual bond. Their relationship doesn’t stretch plausibility - no force-fed romance or thin racial grandstanding - they’re just two lost souls who happen to find a little common ground and do their best to compensate for each other’s shortcomings. Emboldened by this experience, Giamatti’s character pursues a similar relationship with the sole remaining student (Dominic Sessa, in his film debut). That connection comes far less easily, with both bristling and lashing out as their entreaties stumble and fail, but they keep after it and the eventual response surprises them both. This is an uncertain film, one which feints and jabs in many directions before settling on a course. Like a good Wes Anderson movie, it mixes inner turmoil with dark humor, touching the heart and stinging with well-timed sarcasm, before building to a satisfying and hopeful (if not exactly happy) climax. A sort of Dead Poets Society for the abandoned, depressed and medicated. Much energy is invested in The Holdovers’ visual aesthetic. Everything from the wardrobe to the film grade is authentically ‘70s, a pervasively stale and smokey atmosphere that reinforces the sense of lonesome, off-course malaise that’s claimed each character’s life. This may parallel the narrative moods of fifty-year-old cinema, in addition to its sights and sounds, but despite the deep and heavy themes, it’s not a drag.

Buena película navideña, que te muestra que la magia puede llegar de cualquier lugar, y de cualquier persona, pese a cualquier cosa

It's certainly not a blockbuster. It is a reminder that life is not always easy and how individual fates can develop into a commonality.

As charming as it is well produced. the holdovers is an engaging watch with a talented casting and beautiful retro 70's period setting. The production leans heavily into the1970's aesthetic to an extreme level even using period authentic stock logos and credits that run over the first few minutes of playtime. Soundtrack is soft and appropriately melodic. The dialogue is heartfelt filled with sentiment and wit. Very watchable!

Absolutely incredible. This would have been in close contention for my favorite film of 2023 if I had seen it then. Since I only saw it now I can say that I will be rewatching this film many times. What a beautiful story and a great cast of characters!

Alexander Payne has created a spectacular coming of age film that will be played for Christmas’s to come. My favorite film on 2023!! A+

This film is really likeable, the characters still manage to retain their charm throughout and it's shot really well in lovely locations. It's just the actual story and narrative, isn't that interesting. It's more of a nice, laid back Sunday movie for people who appreciate the levels films go to really immerse you in a certain time period.

This movie is amazing! The scenery is so beautiful! The acting is outstanding! Absolutely love Paul and Angus!!!

Funny, sad, charming. Very beautiful settings and cinematography. Great performances from all the cast. Would watch again.

(Mauro Lanari) Marginalization, loneliness, tormented, problematic, abandoned existences set as if they were at the "Overlook Hotel": rarefaction of pace, cast, dialogues, events. Leaving aside the hilarious "Downsizing", filmed in 2017 when the demographic winter was already daily news, this is Payne's style that aesthetics textbooks define as "mannerism/academicism" and those of cinema as "nostalgia for the New Hollywood", but how tender, delicate, sensitive, bittersweet, subdued, shadowy is. A new "Christmas movie" Frank Capra-like. It taught me about trimethylaminuria (TMAU) and that "punish" comes from "Punic."

Even though I love the early Bogdanovich, Hal Ashby and company, I don't usually enjoy the contemporary approach to this kind of classicism. That said, it's hard to say what's not to like about this movie. It's so well written, so well acted by everyone, so elegantly directed and so NOT a lame tearjerker that I can only surrender. I'll see it again soon.

Set in 1970/71, the film felt like a local stage play which exhausted the available costume room, and maybe even a few personal closets. The standout actor was Naheem Garcia who played Danny the janitor. I was constantly aware of the impeccable makeup, eyebrows, hair styles and clothing of Mary, the school cafeteria manager. The student Angus was referred to as a problem child, but really wasn't. Paul felt like the typical oddball history teacher, with a few skeletons in the closet, but none which pulled at the heart. I am very quick to tear-up to a film or song or poem or commercial..., but I felt no emotional connection to any character. Every character had a background which could have been churned up to the surface, but their stories just floated around on the top like oil on water. I so wanted to feel what the critics felt, but to me, the film played out as flat and retro-brown as week-old city snow.

The Holdovers Set during the winter of 1970, this comedy-drama follows boarding students forced to remain at school over the Christmas break. Under the watchful eye of a strict classics teacher and the school's head cook, their holiday takes an unexpected turn. Set in the 1970s, this film effortlessly captures the essence of the era with grace. It effectively delves into the lives of its three main characters. Paul, the strict teacher, undergoes a humanizing transformation, offering insight into his demeanor. Angus, the lone remaining student, also experiences growth through his evolving relationship with Paul. Mary, the cook, serves as the emotional core of the film, portrayed as a grieving mother. While she could benefit from further character exploration, the audience still gains a sense of familiarity with her. The story presented is simple but elevated by the cast. The leads are brimming with chemistry. Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph deliver career-best performances, while Dominic Sessa shines brightly in a revelatory role. The directorial prowess of Alexander Payne shines through in this film. As he skillfully weaves together his endearing characters, the audience is treated to a psychological study of human connection. While it's expected that these characters will eventually form bonds, it's the journey itself that truly captivates, and just when you think you've anticipated the destination, there's still a surprising twist in store. The Holdovers is a wonderful exploration of loneliness, the depth of grief, the warmth of friendship, and the power of human connections. With its heartfelt portrayal of these universal experiences, this film has the potential to become a timeless Christmas classic. 8.5/10

And when i thought the movie is gonna let me down a bit when they decided to go with one student instead **** of students like in Dead Poets Society, it turn out to be one of the best love hate relationship bond story i've ever watch, Paul Giamatti deserve all the praise but we still can't forget about the other two hearts of the film, Dominic Sessa and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, i've never been this drawn to a relationship between not only a student and a teacher but any kind of relationship including two people or more like this before, the chemistry between the two and the three are really really perfect, it's About Schmidt all over again, about these three individual with their own personal problem and you care so deeply to each and when they together, it's so lovely, it's so realistic, it's heartwarming at times, and it's depressing at times, each moments you care and interested and drawn to each of dialogue and conversation they have, it's really incredibly well written, in terms of the filmmaking perspective, the soundtrack was great, the cinematography, and movie as a whole was just as realistically entertaining and engaging, The Holdovers has just become one of my favorite movie of all time, and one of the best films of 2023, i love this movie so much.

the performances were excellent (after all, paul giamatti is in it) but i found it too predictable and formulaic. SPOILER ALERT - the crusty nasty teacher becomes buddies with the troubled rebellious student - saw that coming. the protagonist tells off his oppressive boss in the end - saw that coming. but i'll give it credit for things i predicted that didn't happen. SPOILER ALERT AGAIN - he didn't end up in a relationship with the pretty school employee, and the chef didn't end up with the maintenance guy. still, overall, the movie is worth seeing.

Not quite as successful as Payne's Sideways but very close and I'm sure some will prefer it. Perfectly blends his style of humour and unique, situational emotional moments, and gives us three wonderfully characterised people to spend a couple of hours with over the Christmas break.

This film has so much emotion. It is emotional ,funny and feel good film. It deals with grief, acceptance and change of people .The characters are so good and Giamatti ,My God he is wonderful in it. Teacher student relation is shown in so much great way . How they change themselves in the course of the movie is just masterpiece This is for me a classic.

This may be my favorite Alexander Payne film yet (of the ones I've seen thus far, that is). Something about the period element for me that really made everything hit home this time. A lot of Payne's films have always come across as very Ashby-esque to me and this one puts those vibes on full blast, what with its winsome 70's aesthetic (both diegetically and non-diegetically), its carefully curated soundtrack of classic hidden gems and its homespun setting. The fact that this can go toe-to-toe with Oppenheimer as the best acted film of 2023 — with only three leads — is saying a whole helluva lot. Both Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa are revelations here, but make no mistake, this is the Paul Giamatti show and his work here lives up to all the hype and then some — especially in the last few minutes. On a personal note, I also love how this almost feels like a spiritual successor to "Scent Of A Woman" in a way. Sheesh, it might even be a more aerodynamic version of that picture, now that I think about it. An easy candidate for best of the year and a must-watch for both normies and cinephiles alike.

At times, funny, and always insightful story about class, entitlement, loss, and the often lingering effects of family dysfunction. Giamatti is as self-destructive as his previous starring role in "Sideways," but gets good advice from a surprising source, an often overlooked cook. I like movies about honesty among liars, and the potential for change, and humanity. This is one of the best.

Payne rediscovers his best style and creates his most personal film, through an honest coming-of-age story with bittersweet tones and the tenderness and delicacy of its staging. The work, which balances drama and comedy, has its greatest merits in the painful humanity conveyed by the excellent and convincing actors (Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph are Oscar worthy, but debutant Dominic Sessa is also very good) , in the sensitivity and accuracy of the staging, in the attention to detail and nuance, in the chronicle of lives removed or never lived. Alexander Payne works on complex themes (generational conflict, the horror of war, misanthropy, loneliness, mourning, depression), probes withheld emotions, focuses on leaden skies, and investigates the folds of the soul and of what that it hides (from us). The character played by Paul Giamatti (the actor had already been directed twenty years earlier by the director in “Sideways”), is a gruff professor of an American school, forced to stay on campus during the Christmas break to follow a group of students who have nowhere to spend the holidays. He unexpectedly forms a special bond with one of them – a brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) – and with the school's kitchen manager, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). This humanistic and touching story (of which Alexander Payne had the idea after seeing the film “Holidays in college (Merlusse)” directed by Marcel Pagnol in 1935) tells the story of the union (first forced, then shared) of three strangers and is treated like that of a family (with its various dysfunctions), even if each character seems like a ghost or a remnant of what remains of themselves. Through sequences that move between closed, desolate spaces and road trips (it is the fifth Payne film to feature a road trip as a central plot point, the others include “About Schmidt”, “The Descendants”, “Sideways” and “Nebraska”), the director shows us once again the face of deep America, the struggles and immobility, the melancholies of the past and the regrets, the traumas and individual and collective desires that have never materialized, but also the vulnerabilities and contradictions of its present; inviting the viewer to reflect on the importance of sharing between people, especially when they are temperamentally distant and different from each other. In the next one we will be able to find something really useful and precious for us. You will be able to (re)discover yourself more and better, even before those around you; and above all you will not only be able to know how to overcome your limits, but also learn to look at the future with a completely new look. The human truth of the characters arises in the same way both from their strengths and from their limits and defects. There is all the poetics of Payne's cinema in "The Holdovers", the existential malaise of the individual, the daily struggle to accept one's defects and understand one another. A cinema that is humanist and above all empathetic towards those who are left behind but resist in the strength to face small or large tragedies. In short, “The Holdovers” is an enjoyable and engaging film, conventional but incisive in style and with an interesting and effective plot. It is a drama of depth and full of emotional power. A cinematic and poetic hymn on the solidarity that arises from suffering, and, through its characters (losers in spite of themselves, exhausted by adverse fate), it gives us fun and emotion, suggesting important and unexpected reflections. Absolutely not to be missed. A curiosity: although the work has an evocative and fascinating cinematographic look that is very significantly reminiscent of the films of the 70s (for the setting, the 35 mm film in the 1.66:1 format, the cutting of the shots, the pasty colors of photography, the graphics of the closing credits), was entirely shot digitally with an ARRI Alexa Mini. All the hallmarks of celluloid film, such as grain, halo, dirt and film texture, were added in post-production.

It's a great movie with a great message. The acting was fantastic, especially Paul Giamatti's. The story was engaging, and the characters were flawed and believable. It reminded me of how they used to make movies with love.

The biggest attraction of the film? Paul Giammati, in a role that provokes sympathy even in the most indifferent heart, in a magnetic story with its own soul that awakens the viewer's interest until the last minute.

Arguably my favorite movie of 2023. A sincere, genuine portrayal of humanity of which I rarely get the chance to experience, The Holdovers is the rare critical darling where I found myself liking it just as much, if not more. Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph put in my favorite performances of the year as their respective characters, their convincing, emotionally powerful portrayals not only enthralling me to my core but truly helping this film to never leave my attention. Their story arcs and strong development over the course of the film left me engaged and emotional, and by the time the ending came, I couldn't help but reflect on everything I had just watched and just feel in awe. By the time of the ending, I couldn't help but tear up a little.

Divertido, emocionante e uma quimica incrivel do elenco. Os rejeitados e um filme com um humor afiadissimo e que ao mesmo tempo nos proporciona grandes emoções

Paul Giamatti is one of our great character actors. He returns in his latest role in The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways -- which also starred Paul Giamatti). In The Holdovers Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, a cantankerous history teacher, specializing in Ancient Civilizations, at a college preparatory all boys boarding school. During the 1970 Christmas Holiday Recess, Mr. Hunham is left at the school to be caretaker to troubled holdover student, Angus Tully played by Dominic Sessa. Also left at the school along with Hunham is grieving mother and school's Head Cook, Mary Lamb, in a sublime performance by actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite is My Name). By the end of the film, we come to discover that the testy Paul Hunham is really blessed with a Heart of Gold when he gives away his teaching career to save the life and future of his student.

At last The Holdovers has been released in Irish cinemas. Set in the prestigious Barton Academy boarding school. A strict and unpopular history teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) gets the unfortunate job of minding the students who remain on campus over the Christmas holidays. Troubled student Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) finds himself in the company of Mr. Hunham and the cafeteria manager, Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). Between the insufferable history teacher and a grieving mother it’s not exactly the Christmas vacation he was imagining. The Holdovers reunites Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti after their previous drama/comedy, Sideways, which is definitely worth checking out for anyone who hasn’t seen it. Giamatti is playing a character that he was clearly born to play as his performance is absolutely effortless. He is such an underrated actor and this has to be one of his greatest movies yet. We’re also introduced to newcomer, Dominic Sessa and what a way to make a film debut. The character growth between the two over the course of the movie feels completely authentic and it’s wonderful to see an original story like this resonate with so many people. There are some great performances in The Holdovers that is sure to attract some award attention but if I’m confident of anyone winning it has to be Da’Vine Joy Randolph for Best Supporting Actress. She gives a heartbreaking performance and fully deserves all the awards coming to her. In one way The Holdovers is a perfect holiday movie to watch over Christmas (though not if you live in Ireland due to the nonsensical release dates). But it's also so much more as it touches on so many issues, like entitlement, seizing on the opportunities presented to you in life and of course grief. Some films find a way to get a strong emotional reaction for you and The Holdovers will have this effect on many people due to the nature of it’s subject matter. It hit a bit close to home for me and I know it’s a film I’ll be thinking about for a long time. It’ll make you reflect on your own life whether you’re relating to the grumpy teacher, the mischievous student or a grieving mother. Grief any time of the year is hard but at Christmas it’s especially difficult and The Holdovers captures this feeling to perfection. I absolutely loved the attention to detail to make The Holdovers feel like it was made in the 70s, everything from the camera work, the sound and the locations gives the entire film a true nostalgic feel to it. If you’re the type to cry at the movies then get the tissues ready because you’ll be sobbing one minute and crying with laughter the next. The Holdovers is a wonderful comedy drama with an expertly crafted and witty story that will warm all the cold hearts out there. A story of broken people forced together in unlikely circumstances leads to a truly beautiful story that’s highly recommended for everyone. Believe the hype, everything you’ve heard about The Holdovers is true. It’s a brilliant movie and no doubt has many awards coming to it.

Enjoyed this movie. Lots of laughs mixed with more thoughtful moments. It could be argued that we’ve seen this style before. That said it was done well.

The most compelling aspect of this film is the retro styling that gives it a seventies vibe. Hair, makeup, costuming, and location scout should all win academy awards. The story itself is an unsurprising "found family" tale with some fine performances. A pleasant watch while snuggling in cold weather.

A school teacher for rich children who longs for a life that never was; a troubled young student depressed by the state of his family; a working-class black woman devastated by a sensitive loss... In 'The Holdovers,' during the Christmas holidays, a group of teenagers, much to their regret, have to stay at school for various reasons, hence the film's title. But having described the protagonists, the phrase takes a whole new meaning. We are about to meet three individuals who were left behind in one way or another: stuck in a life they did not imagine for themselves, forgotten by their mother, or held back by grief. The holdovers are those who live in the past without realizing what is still ahead of them, and the film brilliantly shows us how there is always a reason to press forward. Alexander Payne delivers a heartwarming film that portrays movingly the bond between three broken people. An instant Christmas classic. Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Cessa deserve all the awards.

O filme até começa bem, mas infelizmente ele não se decide sobre o quer ser. Do nada vira um road movie medonho e clichê, com vários pontos para tentar fazer emocionar: personagens mudando a personalidade, doença mental, volta ao passado. É de dar dó o roteiro disso aqui, que mais parece uma colagem de várias ideias. Ao menos a parte técnica e as atuações conferem dignidade à obra.

Movies like this are what happens when lazy, cynical filmmakers formulate their product to satisfy the tastes of lazy, undiscerning viewers. The brief, forced bursts of smarty-pants dialogue and the awkward, manufactured feel-good plot points do nothing to redeem this manipulative exercise. I'm embarrassed for everyone involved.

I really liked this movie a lot. Paul Giamanti is one of a kind and can carry a character so well. But there’s several other great characters in this movie. Touching, sweet and nostalgic movie, don’t miss it in theatres

excellent [ ek-suh-luhnt ] adjective possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.

I heard high praise for this, and Paul Giamatti was great, but despite his efforts, the rest of the movie came off as a pale imitation of better movies. Little bit of Class and Dead Poet's Society and a touch of Mr. Holland's Opus. I did not enjoy any other performances and the cook's subplot was too weak for the anti-climax that occurred at the Christmas party. I also don't see what the big deal was by letting the kid see his father. Seems counterintuitive outside of just plain cruelty. Add to it that the parents couldn't come get their kid to go on vacation, but they showed right up to get him or his teacher in trouble and kicked out. Makes no sense.

The performances by the cast elevate this above what it should have been. It's a slow movie that would have benefitted from cutting out a few things, especially in the middle of the film. It has moments throughout that will keep you going but the slow pace can be brutal at times.

I saw this on Peacock last week. I love Paul Giamatti, so no brainer here. This movie was exceptionally engaging and a great performance from a very small cast. I highly recommend this. Enjoy.