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A sublime sensation of loneliness seems to come packaged with the holiday season. Some care not for noisy family dinners or the cavorting amongst a decorated tree. Some spend the holidays quietly, either through uncertain circumstances or choice. The Holdovers follows those who are expecting a quiet Christmas and finding something a bit more from the most unexpected of associates. It’s a makeshift 1970s Christmas of the sad and defensive, finding those miraculous and unexpected nuggets of joy in between drinks and insults.
A Unique Educator
This is a film where it’s easy to fall in love with the characters early on. This is most true with Paul Giamatti playing the mustachioed teacher Paul Hunham at Barton Academy. He prefers to keep to himself, but not out of being grumpy. His heart is made clear in the opening scene when a staff member stops by his quarters with a plate of Christmas cookies made especially for him. I expected this teacher to be a grumpy hermit who would immediately dump that tray in the trash when he shuts the door. Thankfully, he doesn’t and saves those cookies for a time when they could be shared.
source: Focus Features
Although the staff and students dislike Hunham, it’s not so much for his attitude or methods. The truth is he cares far too much about ancient civilization that he doesn’t shirk on either the homework for the students or handing failing grades to students that admins would prefer he ignores. This guy cares a lot about his job and has a weirdly chipper and relatable mood when entering the classroom. He knows the students call him a fish for his dead eye and unpleasant odor. Rather than hold it against them, Hunham keeps his portly form upright as he provides critical feedback and weighs fairly whether or not to allow make-up essays.
A Troubled Student
Hunham is chosen for the unwanted role of the staff to remain as a holdover guardian for the boys at the Academy who won’t be going home for Christmas. He’d rather be cozy for the holiday break reading murder-mystery novels but accepts his duties. Thankfully, he gets to spend this time with his most astute pupil, the insightful yet troublemaking Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa). Angus wasn’t planning on being left behind, but last-minute plans between his mother and her new husband changed his holiday schedule.
source: Focus Features
Although Angus isn’t the only student, an unexpected development leads to him being the only one Hunham has to look after. It is during this time that both the student and the teacher get to witness different perspectives. It’s that awkward yet intoxicating development of witnessing a teacher out of class and seeing them more as a person beyond an authority figure. They get to know each other better through a series of chaotic developments, ranging from an accident in the gym to a field trip into the city.
A Mourning Mom
Also present at the Academy is Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the school’s lead cafeteria chef. She’s recently lost her son to war and is spending her first Christmas without him. She takes it in stride with a cigarette, good booze, and television. She gets along well with Hunham, considering they both favor the bottle to keep the past at bay. Nearly every exchange they have is sweet and revealing about themselves, where they’re willing to let their hair down and speak more openly when no staff are present.
source: Focus Features
Much like with Hunham, we also see more of Mary’s sides outside the kitchen. Drinking at a party reveals just how alone she feels during the holidays. Later, she’ll connect more with her other family members for some well-deserved closure. Through it all, she keeps up a strong front, where a drunk night of partying doesn’t keep her from waking up early to cook herself a fine breakfast.
A Genuine Christmas Treat
Director Alexander Payne utilizes a retro style that goes beyond framing the 1970s setting like a drama of that era. There’s a cozy nature to it all, how the film eases the audience into its snow-covered Academy as a soundtrack of gentle rock plays over the opening credits. The chemistry between the characters is great, and there’s clearly love in their hearts that will only come out around the right people at the right time.
source: Focus Features
It’s amazing how the screenplay by David Hemingson keeps pulling back layer after layer about all three of these characters. Just when you think you fully understand these characters and where they’re going in life, something unique comes up about their past. The other characters find themselves less shocked by the secret and more impressed by the levels of humanity, especially with how Tully witnesses a misunderstood history regarding Hunham. The two of them have great exchanges in choosing how they reveal more about themselves and the world they occupy. After watching Hunham casually turn down a prostitute, Tully laughs, thinking that Hunham is a prude. Not only does Hunham admit as much to have had sex in his youth, but he also brings Tully to a museum where he knows exactly where to find the smuttiest of ancient art.
source: Focus Features
The drama also comes about so easily that it rarely comes to the areas of melodrama. There’s a touching scene without a line of dialogue as Mary lets go of her son’s baby clothes and toys for an expectant family member. It’s sweet and sad by the staging alone and made all the most powerful by Randolph’s pitch-perfect performance. She will later meet up with Tully and Hunham, and they have a sweet bond over a makeshift cherry jubilee in a parking lot.
Conclusion: The Holdovers
The Holdovers is overflowing with gentle warmth and biting humor, making for a perfect Christmas movie and an easy go-to cheer-up picture. There’s so much to love in how Payne assembles a picture of adults who fear their pasts and teenagers who fear the adults they might become. But what I love most is how the film worked its magic of broken characters seeking sympathy and joy during a time when it feels like they’re on their own. It’s a healthy dose of hope and knowing charm that is perfect for winding down the holiday with a gentle jab of honest comedy and drama. Few films have this perfect balance of performances, themes, and humanity. I watched this film in October, and I’m already aiming to make this a part of my cozy Christmas movie playlist.
The Holdovers will play in select theaters on October 27th and expand nationwide on November 10th.
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