A curmudgeonly ancient civilizations teacher, a New England prep school Will Hunting, and a grieving mother walk into a bar…wait, how does the joke start again?
These three curious figures are the heart of Alexander Payne’s newest release, The Holdovers. It narrates the tale of Barton Academy teacher Paul Hunham, dismayed to spend Christmas break supervising Angus Tully, a bright but troubled teen with nowhere else to go. Another holiday holdover is the Barton Academy head cook, Mary Lamb, who recently lost her only son (a Barton alum) in Vietnam.
What could easily fall into feel-good fluff and holiday cliches transforms into something much deeper. The Holdovers isn’t the type of film to raise your holiday spirits, though it certainly appears that way on the surface. Instead, it is an elegantly crafted tale about loneliness and the importance of family, told against the backdrop of a New England Christmas in 1970.
Paul is a compelling protagonist. He is not an audience insert by any means. He relishes in giving failing grades to his students, chronically smells like fish (according to Angus) because his body can’t break down triethylamine and is as close to Scrooge as you can get without being too overt. It would be easy to detest him if he weren’t so artfully portrayed by the wonderful Paul Giamatti, who is truly at his best while hitting every beat of humor and emotion needed for the character to work.
Paul’s relationship with Angus is the heart of the film. He is a pain, but Angus is no picnic either. He’s quick to start fights, speaks before he thinks and tries in vain to escape from Barton multiple times over the holiday. However, even as he causes trouble for himself and Paul, you can’t help but pity him. In one of Angus’s early scenes, his mother tells him just an hour before pickup that she’s chosen a honeymoon with her new husband over their holiday plans. Later, as other boys at Barton leave for a ski trip by helicopter, Angus can’t reach his mother for permission and is consequently left behind at the school.
This is an important backdrop for his characterization and eventual friendship with Paul. Eventually, the time they spend together becomes more than just an obligation. Paul takes Angus out to get burgers and almost lets him order a beer. When the school administrator invites them to a Christmas party at her house, Paul only hesitates a bit before accepting.
It’s impressive that Dominic Sessa’s portrayal of Angus Tully in The Holdovers marks his first acting role (he was that good!). Even more remarkable is that Sessa was a film student at the very school where the movie was shot! Sessa and Giamatti’s relationship is entirely believable because of their chemistry. Their banter flows effortlessly, seamlessly shifting between arguments, emotional discussions and humor. Adding Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Lamb creates an ideal three-person ensemble that’s so authentic it sometimes feels like a documentary.
Mary stands out as the most devastating character of the trio. She’s not overtly warm, managing the cafeteria with a stern hand, and is frequently found drinking alone at her desk. Yet, her emotional moments are the most impactful. During the Christmas party, she immerses herself in her late son’s favorite Christmas album, drinking until she’s overwhelmed with grief. She urges Paul to show more kindness to Angus and often spends her time engrossed in reality TV, whether alone or with her holiday companions.
The Holdovers is a masterclass in balancing a heartfelt story with great humor and even better acting and is sure to be a significant player at this year’s Oscars. It’s truly the perfect film to see over the holidays – you’ll laugh as much as you mop your eyes!