The Holdovers

The format may be unsurprising but there is nothing unsurprising about just how good and enjoyable this is... this is the kind of bittersweet, character-dialogue driven piece they just don't do anymore.

It is the genius of Paul Giamatti to make us, over the course of this great movie, not just re-evaluate and learn to respect this mess of a man but actually... to love him.

There’s a bracingly astringent bleakness under its surface layer of melancholy humour; a biting, sharp edge that counters the occasional lurch towards sentimentality.

The Holdovers emerges as a testament to Payne's unique storytelling ability, offering a grownup drama for intelligent audiences, inviting a nuanced exploration of the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of cruel classist rigidity.

Some may still baulk at the conventional structure. But conventions emerge for a reason. An absolute treasure. Merry Christmas to you all.

Giamatti gives a wonderful performance here. He roots his character’s frustrations not in cruelty but in misguided desperation -- an eagerness to mould these boys into men better than himself.

Payne and his team recreate the early 1970s in such meticulous fashion that you could be forgiven for thinking the film was actually made 50 years ago.

I didn't know anything about this film but was completely floored by it. I was happily surprised by this story&#59; the performances, script, and message. We don't get movies like this anymore so I'm very appreciative of this.

One of my favorite films in recent memory. Between the memorable script, performances, and overall look of the film--I loved every bittersweet moment of this film.

Featuring a winning trio of actors all giving scintillating performances, The Holdovers marks a stunning return to form for Alexander Payne.