Written by Ally Abruscato. Photo courtesy of The Guardian.
With award season upon us, “The Holdovers” is getting the recognition it deserves. With two wins at the 81st Golden Globes and numerous nominations, this film is proving to be a favorite of 2023.
Directed by Alexander Payne, “The Holdovers” takes place at a prep school during winter break. Although most of the boys went home to their families for the holidays, a few were left with a curmudgeonly professor, played by Paul Giamatti. After the rest of the boys leave for a ski trip, Giamatti’s character, Paul Hunham, is left with Angus Tully, played by Dominic Sessa, and the cafeteria manager, Mary Lamb, played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
What starts as a nightmare for all involved turns into a heartwarming, family-like environment. The three unlikely friends find comfort in each other during the otherwise devastating holiday season. Mary reckons with the loss of her only son, while Angus struggles with his parents’ divorce. Meanwhile, Paul hides his emotions under a harsh and angry exterior.
I enjoyed this movie a lot. It had highs and lows, laughs and cries, and everything in between. Having a small cast allows the viewer to connect deeply with each character. The chemistry between them is terrific and believable. The depth of each character truly made the film enjoyable. The actors were consistently impressive in their hilarity and sorrow. The funny moments came at just the right times and deeply contrasted with the serious topics discussed. The juxtaposition of the two was beautiful and led to a remarkable holiday movie.
I strongly encourage anyone who has the chance to see “The Holdovers” to do so. It is heartwarming and hilarious all at the same time. It is a great holiday movie with incredible actors, powerful storytelling, and a magnificent soundtrack. I highly recommend it.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
