Director
Alexander Payne
(DOWNSIZING, ELECTION)

Starring
Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa

At the recent Golden Globe Awards, Alexander Payne’s latest offering was nominated for 3 awards, taking home two of them. Not surprisingly, both of them were for an acting performance, which is a true standout in this feature. Set in 1970 at a New England Prep School, The Holdovers is about a cantankerous older teacher, Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), who is tasked with the duty of looking after boarders who are unable to return home for the holidays, alongside the school’s cook (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and caretaker as the only other adults present for the period. What originally starts as five students, quickly becomes just the one, with the unlucky Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) being left as the only student subject to Hunham’s stringent holiday rules of much study and little fun.

Most of the film centers around Giamatti, Randolph and Sessa’s characters, each having their own journeys through trauma, grief and isolation. What begins as three very different strangers, soon becomes and exploration of commonality. All three actors do a remarkable job at displaying the vulnerabilities and flaws of their characters, with Giamatti and Randolph being recognised for their efforts by their thoroughly deserved Golden Globe wins. Randolph as the single mother who recently lost her only son in the Vietnam War brings a nuanced rawness and warmth to the story. Of the three, she is the most likeable character that draws you in. Giamatti is an unrelentingly dislikeable loner who almost seems to get satisfaction out of getting under the skin of those around him, but as we delve deeper we see how he got to be the way he is, and see him bring down some of his walls and are enriched by what’s there. One of the most impressive performances though is that of Sessa. In his first ever screen acting role, his Angus Tully is such a compelling character, which he provides perfect dimension to. Easily written off as a problematic, attention seeking trouble-maker, Sessa finds and brings to life his vulnerabilities in such an interesting way that you find yourself really rooting for him.

The Holdovers is very much a slow burn, and definitely takes a while to find its momentum, but when it does, the payoff is well and truly worthwhile. Underpinned by an incredible soundtrack and breathtaking imagery, there’s a nostalgic warmth as well as sadness to it all. There are definite parallels between this and Peter Weir’s incredible Dead Poets Society, and whilst this doesn’t hit quite the same heights as that film as a whole, the performances by the three key actors are every bit as engaging and memorable. Personally I think Da’Vine Joy Randolph already has one hand on the Oscar, and I also rate the performance of Giamatti ahead of Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer (although I’m not sure that the Academy voters will agree on that one).

Be patient with this film and it will reward you.

The Holdovers is in cinemas now.