150 Word Review: 'The Holdovers' (2023)

Personas non grata

Photo: Focus Features

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.

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RANDOM RANKING:

Top 5 Alexander Payne Movies

5. 'The Descendants' (2011)

4. ‘The Holdovers’ (2023)

3. ‘Nebraska’ (2013)

2. 'Sideways' (2003)

1. ‘Election’ (1999)

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NEXT: ‘Cassandro’ (2023)