“The Holdovers” premiered on August 31, 2023 at the Telluride Film Festival starring Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. It was written by David Hemingson and directed by Alexander Payne. Although premiering in late August, the widespread theatrical release of the film was not until October 27th.

“The Holdovers” is set in 1970 at the fictional Barton Academy in Massachusetts. It tells the story of Paul Hunham, a strict classics teacher who is forced to stay at the school over Christmas break to look after “The Holdovers,” a group of students who have nowhere to go during the holidays. He ends up bonding with the intelligent yet troubled Angus, as well as Mary Lamb, a cook who is mourning the death of her son who was killed in Vietnam.

The plot consists of a cliche tough teacher and a delinquent student slowly realizing they are very similar. Although it came off cliche, the plot worked within what the film was trying to accomplish, which was to capture the feeling of a 70’s movie as well as make commentary on the teenage experience. Even the way it was filmed and the movie itself looked was a reference to 70’s movies. Although it was shot digitally, it was given a grainy filter to look as though it was shot on film. Even though“The Holdovers” is marketed as a holiday comedy, Christmas was not the focal point of the film, and a lot of the deadpan humor fell flat. It had a realistic mixture of comedy, drama, and sadness that reflected reality .

“Parts were entertaining but it was trying to be too intellectual in dialogue and used it for comedy throughout which got old,” senior Tyler Hennecke said. “But it was a well written story and character development was good when we finally got to learn more about the characters.”

While “The Holdovers” is not without its flaws, it was an entertaining and well made movie. If you are a fan of retro movies, comedies, or are even looking for a new holiday movie to try, it would definitely be a movie to consider watching.