Review - The Holdovers
Directed by: Alexander Payne
Written by: David Hemingson
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa
Running Time: 133 minutes
Rating: 4/5
In his latest masterpiece, The Holdovers, director Alexander Payne strikes cinematic gold, delivering a poignant narrative led by the exceptional Paul Giamatti in one of his career-defining performances. It’s Scent of a Woman during Christmas. It’s Dead Poet Society with an acerbic Paul Giamatti at the helm.
The film strikes familiar notes, of course, revolving around the timeless theme of family. In doing so, it’s able to showcases Payne's precision in decision-making, allowing the audience to oscillate between emotional distances until its ultimately fully immersed in the captivating story. The Holdovers has got to be Payne's finest work since Sideways, marking a departure into more sentimental territory, where cynicism, while present, gives way to an emotional honesty and vulnerability that has become rare gem in today's cinematic landscape. We find these things a little out of date, trying a little too hard. But to Payne’s credit, it works here. He makes it work.
Much praise has to be given to Paul Giamatti who steps into the role of Paul Hunham, a Scrooge-like professor reluctantly overseeing a group of misfits with nowhere to go during the holiday season. While the character may not stretch Giamatti's acting muscles into new territory, his portrayal is nothing short of Oscar-worthy. Giamatti effortlessly embodies the curmudgeon, infusing the character with enough eccentricities to make him distinctly unique. His nuanced performance adds layers of depth to the film, making it a standout in Giamatti's illustrious career. Just another feather in Giamatti’s cap.
There’s been, of course, much well deserved chatter, about Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s performance with many calling it Oscar-worthy. Movie awards are a weird monster, an ephemeral thing to try to chase. Maybe she’ll get that gold statue. maybe she won’t. But what will be certain as we look back at this year of film is that Randolph did something incredible in The Holdovers. Balancing grief with generosity, support with dominance, genuine kindness with a humorous mean streak—and did so effortlessly. In a film with Giamatti batting 100, Randolph still manages to steal the show.
If there’s criticism to be had with the film, it could be that the ending doesn’t surprise, but perhaps the lesson is that we don’t need to always been trying to change everything around us. Like the characters in the film, at times we just have to accept things as they are and forget about the consequences.
The Holdovers promises to become a new Christmas classic, resonating not only in the current holiday season but for many to come. At its core, the film is a celebration of embracing imperfections and discovering the common thread of empathy that binds us all. The storyline, coupled with Giamatti's stellar performance, ensures that this heartwarming tale will be cherished by audiences, offering a timeless message of love and connection amidst the festive backdrop of the holiday season.
