Looking for a new movie to cuddle up by a fireplace with a cup of cocoa this winter? Look no further than Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers. This film follows the story of an unlikely trio: Ancient Civilizations teacher Paul Hunham, (Paul Giamatti); the school’s head chef, Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph); and a witty troublemaker stuck at school over winter break, Angus Tully, (Dominic Sessa). The movie follows the trio, along with other holdover students— those who could not go home to their families between semesters— and how they learn to get by together and even realize they may not be so different after all. The best way I can describe this movie is a Christmas movie that can be watched even when the holiday season has passed. Even Ayo Edebiri, star of Hulu’s The Bear, said via Letterboxd, “Very ‘they don’t make movies like that anymore’ but then they did! Charming! Frightening New England representation!”
This movie is full of thought-provoking scenes and dialogue that take viewers on a trip back to 1970. From the car Mr. Hunham drives Angus to the hospital in (a Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova) to the corduroy and dark colors of the costuming, I can admire the attention to detail that was taken into consideration when creating this period piece.
Giamatti, Sessa, and Randolph perform excellently in this movie, and it’s reflected in this year’s awards season. The film received five Oscar nominations, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance By An Actor in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Performance By An Actress in a Leading Role, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Achievement in Film Editing. All three actors are incredibly talented, and Giamatti and Randolph have already won Golden Globes for their appearances. I’d love to see this film take home an Academy Award. I believe Randolph gives the most robust performance of the three, and I look forward to seeing her act in future projects.
This trio of actors is so powerful in a period piece like The Holdovers because of their lack of “iPhone Face.” “The iPhone Face” is a phenomenon first coined by Michael Sheehan, an associate professor at Cornell University, describing how it can be difficult for viewers to believe an actor in a movie or television show could give a persuasive performance because their face looks like it has seen an iPhone. Common cosmetic changes like Botox, fillers, or veneers can alter an actor’s face in ways that cause them to appear less unique and more modern. This explains why audiences may care more for Bella Ramsey in a period piece rather than most of the cast of Daisy Jones and The Six. Giamatti and Sessa especially lack the “iPhone Face” trait, making the film that much more interesting, enjoyable, and satisfying to watch.
My favorite part of the movie was Angus and Mr. Hunham’s trip to Boston. However, being from Massachusetts, I’m incredibly biased. I love to consume all forms of media, from books to television and movies, that are about and/or made by people from Massachusetts or the New England area. The ice skating scene was actually filmed in my hometown, Worcester, just behind City Hall. Small details like that are what make movies more personal. Seeing short clips of the city I grew up in on the big screen, being many miles away from it, created waves of nostalgia for me. The scene’s compilation of Angus finally outside the school, ice skating, smiling, and laughing for the first time since the very start of the film, is heartwarming.
Another of my favorite scenes was Angus running away from Mr. Hunham, leading him to fracture his arm. The bickering between the characters in the car about “washing their hands” metaphorically is gold. The found family aspect between Angus, Mr. Hunham, and Mary is strong throughout the movie, but the father-son-like relationship is truly something special. Giamatti and Sessa created magic on set to bring these characters to life. The Holdovers took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed. I cried. I found myself asking for more while also being content with the two hours of masterpiece I’d just experienced. I haven’t instantly fallen in love with a movie in a while, but it’s safe to say I’m head over heels for this film. Fellow Her Campus at Pace member Cassidy Burry, “Loved how grumpy everyone was for the majority of this film.” I can’t recommend this movie enough and will definitely be rewatching it every holiday season back home in New England.