The Holdovers

Let me begin by saying that "Sideways," directed by Alexander Payne and staring Paul Giamatti is one of my favourite films - easily in my top ten favourite moives of all time. "The Holdovers" sees Payne once again in the director's chair and Giamatti in front of the camera. If you were to take "Sideways" and smash it together with "Dead Poet's Society" you would have something which resembles, "The Holdovers." What's it all about? Set in 1970 at a boys private school, the students about to go on Christmas break, Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, senior history teacher, curmudgeon, and the chosen babysitter for all the boys who can't get home for the holidays. There is Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) who plays the school's cook, who has just lost her son in the Vietnam War. There is a handful of students who remain behind which dwindles down to only Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa). These three, with their suitcases of grief and pain make up the unlikely trio of this holiday story. It's good. I heard Payne wanted to make a film that felt like it was made in the 1970s. He did. It could be an hidden gem from that era. This is a funny and touching drama. If you are looking for something warm and personal for the holidays, then add "The Holdovers" to your holiday viewing list. In theatres now.