THE HOLDOVERS Review: Greatness Comes Down To Simplicity

Introduction

Most movies have, “a thing.” There is an essential element or characteristic that makes a particular film greater than others. Scarcely, films excel because of their specific lack of, “a thing.” Such is the case with Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers.

Payne’s usual brand of worldly cynicism is on full display, but instead of leaning into that cynicism, Payne’s characters grow more empathetic and understanding. Written by David Hemingson, it’s by far Payne’s sweetest film and shows his growth as a filmmaker. Instead of leaning into the “the world isn’t as great as it used to be” like some of his contemporaries, Payne gives his characters patience and understanding to grow into their best and most fully realized selves.

Synopsis

Set in the early 1970s, The Holdovers stars Paul Giamatti as Paul “Walleye” Hunham, a gruff history teacher at Barton Academy, a high-brow boarding school. While the other teachers understand the politics, Paul has little patience for the ineptitude of the children of powerful men. He alienates his colleagues and is punished by being put in charge of the students who can’t return home for the Christmas holidays.

This punishment comes in the form of misanthropic student Angus Tully (newcomer Dominic Sessa), who is surprisingly left at school over the holiday so his mother can have a honeymoon with her new husband. A few other students are also in attendance, but they quickly get to go on a skiing excursion, leaving only Paul, Angus, and school cook Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) alone.

Simple, Yet Effective

Simplicity is the key factor. Paul drinks too much, but his sobriety isn’t the goal. Angus is an underachiever, but his excellence isn’t the goal. Mary is grieving, but overcoming that grief isn’t the goal. This is not a film about a clear conclusion. It is a film about connection. Instead of the characters changing for the better, these characters discover the goodness in others, which leads to their growth. Empathy and humanity are on full display.

Payne created the film Hal Ashby never made. Complete with 70s-style opening credits and logos, the vibes of the film are as important as the content. This is an era of generational change and counterculture. Instead of being immersed in this world, the audience is surrounded by an environment actively trying to push back against it. The environment lends as much to the film as the characters.

Cast

Giamatti again shows why he is one of the premiere stars of Payne’s sensibilities. Yes, he is able to convey intelligence, but there is a balance of self-awareness and stubbornness he is able to push across that few others could. Sessa proves himself to be Giamatti’s equal in presence and command. For someone who has never appeared in a film before, his confidence in the character and trust in Payne is perfectly suited for what the film needs.

Randolph tries her best to steal the movie away from her male co-stars. Mary could have been a stock-sweet lunch lady, Instead, her grief drives her, even when she wants to think of something else. She is consumed by it, but her interactions with Angus allow her that bit of motherhood she so severely misses. Her characterization could have easily gone awry, but Randolph never allows it to go anywhere close to off the rails.

Conclusion

What makes The Holdovers great? There isn’t a big thing. It’s a combination of cast, director, writer, and setting coming together to tell a story about connection. It doesn’t have to be big. It’s just simple, in the best way.

The Holdovers had its world premiere at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and was released across the country in wide release on November 10, 2023.

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