Christmas, 1970. Paul, a fastidious and curmudgeonly teacher at a New England boarding school, has the least desirable job on campus: looking after five students who are unable to return home over the festive break. Aided only by cafeteria manager Mary, Paul vows to run a tight shift. That puts him on a collision course with Angus, a reluctant ‘hold over’ student who’d rather be anywhere else over the holidays.

Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is a delightful attempt at crafting a 1970s style comedy-drama for the 2020s. With three superb and widely-acclaimed turns from Giamatti, Randolph and newcomer Sessa, this is a charming, funny and bittersweet film proving that, occasionally, Hollywood really can make ‘em like they used to.

Festivals:

Toronto International Film Festival, 2023

Telluride Film Festival, 2023

Awards:

Winner - Golden Globes for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Paul Giamatti) and Best Supporting Actress (Da'Vine Joy Randolph)

Quotes:

“★★★★ The sympathy, richness and gentleness of this picture are… a marvel: a grownup drama for grownup people” - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“Curmudgeonly and charming, unsentimental and deeply felt, antically funny and deceptively humane” - Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post