The Holdovers (2023) Comedy Movie Review

Following the disappointment of “Downsizing,” Payne makes a comeback by teaming up with Paul Giamatti, the star of one of his most beloved films, “Sideways.” Giamatti takes on the role of Paul Hunham, a tough professor at Barton Academy in the early '70s. Despite being disliked by both students and staff, Hunham finds an unlikely connection with a colleague named Lydia who bakes him Christmas cookies. Known for his grumpiness and the tendency to hand out failing grades, Hunham is a character who lacks power in his life, leading him to assert what little he has in a confrontational manner.

During the holiday break, a few students, including Angus (played by Dominic Sessa in a breakthrough role), have to stay behind. This results in Paul, Angus, and the head cook Mary (played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph) spending the break together. Despite being at different stages in their lives, these three individuals influence each other in a heartwarming and genuine manner. The script, written by David Hemingson, explores those unexpected moments in life when a stranger can push us in a new direction long after we thought we were done changing. While the story may include some clichés, Payne and his team manage to weave them into the narrative organically, avoiding predictable plot twists. Ultimately, the film revolves around the unpredictability of life and the positive impact strangers can have on our journeys.

In "The Holdovers," if Paul Hunham is the somewhat reluctant father figure, Mary takes on the role of the mother. She's a grieving woman who has recently lost her son in the Vietnam War. Da’Vine Joy Randolph portrays Mary with subtlety, capturing the heaviness of grief. It's evident that her pain makes navigating daily life more challenging, akin to wading through quicksand. While I can't fully grasp the agony of losing a child, I imagine it makes many days feel like a struggle.

On the other side of the spectrum is Angus, a sharp-witted 15-year-old with an aggressive edge stemming from uncertainty. His parents don't want him around during the holidays, and he's unsure about his future after Barton, possibly even contemplating a journey to Vietnam. While it might be a stretch to say he seeks guidance from Hunham, these two initially at odds characters gradually come to understand each other. Hunham, through the friendship of this young man exploring his path, begins to reflect on his own journey.

What makes "The Holdovers" stand out is its consistent humor throughout. Alexander Payne skillfully embraces Paul Giamatti's gruff demeanor in the early scenes, creating laughs that become more impactful as emotional walls begin to crumble. Randolph, playing Mary, may not generate many laughs, but she delivers a punchline with precision when given the opportunity. However, the real standout is Dominic Sessa, who starts off a bit one-dimensional but grows alongside the film. His performance feels like watching a future star, possessing both the energy of a leading man and the charm of a quirky character actor. It harks back to the charm and relatability of '70s comedies, and Sessa would have been a star then—and undoubtedly will be one now.

While Hollywood has a long history of stories about makeshift families learning life lessons, "The Holdovers" feels refreshingly genuine. Payne and his team acknowledge the clichés inherent in these narratives but infuse them with timeless truths. The movie resonates with the universal experience of unexpected friendships or mentorships that alter life's course. Everyone has encountered someone who has either revealed or failed to live up to expectations. "The Holdovers" is a clever and amusing film about characters who are easy to root for, mirroring people we know. Its real triumph is not just how relatable Paul, Angus, and Mary are individually but how audiences can see a bit of themselves in all three.