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.