The Holdovers Review: A Christmas Film That Defies Clichés and Embraces Authenticity
Before we get started, it is not lost on me as to the timing of my publishing this review and the fact that the film's plot takes place over Christmas break.
With that out of the way, I'm sure you're wondering what I thought of The Holdovers. Between the 70s era aesthetics that cinematographer Eigil Bryld utilizes, the vast soundscapes that Mark Orton achieves through licensed songs such as "Silver Joy" and "The Wind," and a smattering of compositions that seamlessly fit between the licensed music, Alexander Payne's pitch-perfect direction that delicately swings between dark humor and heartbreak, seamless editing by Kevin Tent, and full of stellar performances make The Holdovers one of the few films from 2023 that can bridge the gap between those who watch films obsessively like me and those who say, “Hollywood hasn’t come up with original ideas in years.”
It's a simple enough setup. Every holiday break, a select number of students have to stay at Barton Academy instead of going home, which requires one of the students to keep an eye on them. This year, Paul Hunham (Giamatti), notorious for being a brutal professor, is given the task and assigns these "holdovers" schoolwork, as that's what his entire life revolves around. Not too long into this break, these holdovers are down to Paul, a student named Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa in his first film role), and the head cook, Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). These three people are at a junction in their lives but come to influence each other in their ways.
The three fill distinct archetypes: father, mother, and son. Hemingson's script carefully unfolds these themes. In Giamatti's performance as Hunham, he balances administering academic wit in the grumpiest way possible and becoming a father figure of sorts to Angus. Randolph's performance is subdued, with very few words spoken aloud, and I found it incredibly moving. As someone who has lost too many family members to count, her quieter moments spoke volumes to me.
David Hemingson's script is where much of the film's heart rests. It's not perfect by any stretch, as much of the plot jumps around a bit and overeagerly resolves things, but it still works. A particular script highlight is his light touch regarding the darker moments, as dramedies like these tend to lean towards either drama or comedy, but not both.
This film is written and directed by Alexander Payne, who previously directed masterpieces such as Election, Sideways, The Descendants, Nebraska, and Downsizing.
The easiest way to describe his direction is that he is asking the loftiest questions of the Christmas season. For example, what do the teachers get up to during Christmas break? What are their lives like? What are they thankful for?
On the other side of the emotional spectrum, Payne often follows up these dark moments with some of his signature humor, such as a moment early on where Paul replies to a student saying, "Sir, I don't understand," with "That's glaringly apparent." or Angus stating "I thought all the Nazis were in Argentina." with a "Stifle it, Tully."
Payne's balance of these moments sells the plot of The Holdovers for me. Without it, I could easily see a version of the film wrought with cliches and is awards bait.
While we're talking about darker moments, let's shine some light on the cinematography by Eigil Bryld. Cinematographer Eigil Bryld conjures a charming 70s ambiance using the ARRI Alexa Mini, 18mm and 35mm Zeiss lenses, Kodak Vision 2383 film, and a 2K digital intermediate, providing The Holdovers with this lovely 70s feel to it, instantly transporting the viewer back to the 1970s. It also doesn't hurt that the Kodak print gives the film some natural grain.
Similarly, Kevin Tent's editing takes an observational approach, reminiscent of films like Network, THX 1138, and Alien. We're outsiders looking into these three people's experiences over this holiday break and are given room to breathe. It's a nice change of pace and is greatly appreciated at a time when movies like these are butchered on the cutting room floor.
All of these things add up to the film being one of the most humorous and simultaneously heartbreaking movies of the year. Oh, and before you ask, this will be a movie I throw on over Christmas break.
★★★★
If you'd like to watch The Holdovers, you can watch it in a theater near you or at home.
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Until next time!
Until next time!
