150 Word Review: 'The Holdovers' (2023)
Personas non grata
To misquote poet Philip Larkin, "They fuck you up, your school teachers." But they can also inspire.
Paul Giamatti and director Alexander Payne reunite in The Holdovers, a sentimental dramedy about people broken by grief and loneliness. Giamatti stars as a despised, misanthropic history teacher with a drinking problem strong-armed into chaperoning students left behind over the holiday break at a stuffy New England prep school in the 70s. He thinks his charges are spoiled. The kids think he's a Grinch who quotes Latin.
The movie lacks the acidity of Payne's best work, but it's a pleasure to watch Giamatti turn on the Paul Giamatti firehose full blast. Da'Vine Joy Randolph is witty and warm as a working woman in mourning. Dominic Sessa is a difficult young man who connects with Giamatt's difficult middle-aged man. They're two prickly loners who share a few moments of grace, a minor Christmas miracle.
RANDOM RANKING:
Top 5 Alexander Payne Movies
5. 'The Descendants' (2011)
4. ‘The Holdovers’ (2023)
3. ‘Nebraska’ (2013)
2. 'Sideways' (2003)
1. ‘Election’ (1999)
I'm looking forward to seeing this one.
Perfect ranking of Payne’s movies.