The Holdovers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy teacher, a sad cook, and a troubled teen get stuck together for Christmas and accidentally discover the true meaning of found family, mostly by getting drunk and visiting mental institutions.

🍿 The Holdovers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Scene: Barton Academy, 1970

The film opens at Barton Academy, a New England boarding school, in December 1970. Paul Hunham, a curmudgeonly classics professor disliked by students and faculty alike, is tasked with supervising the ‘holdovers’ – students who can’t go home for Christmas break. This sets the stage for an unconventional holiday season.

The Unlikely Trio Forms

Initially supervising several students, Paul soon finds himself with only Angus Tully, a troubled but intelligent student with family issues, and Mary Lamb, the school’s cook grieving the loss of her son in the Vietnam War. These three disparate individuals are forced to spend the holidays together, forming an unexpected bond.

Misadventures and Growing Bonds

As the holidays progress, Paul, Angus, and Mary embark on various misadventures, including a trip to Boston. These experiences force them to confront their personal issues and offer each other support and understanding, forging a unique and meaningful connection amidst their shared isolation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti): A curmudgeonly and unpopular ancient history teacher at Barton Academy, forced to supervise the holdovers during Christmas break.
• Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa): A bright but troubled and rebellious student left at Barton over Christmas due to his mother’s honeymoon plans.
• Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph): The head cook at Barton, grieving the recent loss of her son in the Vietnam War while catering to the privileged students.
• Dr. Hardy Woodrup (Andrew Garman): The headmaster of Barton Academy who assigns Paul Hunham to supervise the holdovers.
• Miss Lydia Crane (Carrie Preston): An administrative assistant at Barton who throws a Christmas party and shows kindness to Paul.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Paul Hunham: “There’s nothing new in human experience, Mr. Tully. Each generation thinks it invented debauchery or suffering or rebellion, but man’s every impulse and appetite from the disgusting to the sublime is on display right here all around you.” – Paul explains to Angus that history is not just about the past, but about understanding the present.
• Paul Hunham: “I find the world a bitter and complicated place, and it seems to feel the same way about me.” – Paul expresses his pessimistic outlook on life and his perceived alienation from the world.
• Angus Tully: “I thought all the Nazis had left for Argentina.” – Angus makes a sarcastic remark about Paul’s strict and rigid demeanor.
• Mary Lamb: “You can’t even dream a whole dream, can you? What are you afraid of?” – Mary challenges Paul to confront his fears and pursue his desires.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,355,375
• Worldwide Gross: $45,729,236

💥 The Holdovers Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘The Holdovers’! It felt like a warm hug on a cold day. Paul Giamatti was incredible, and the storyline resonated with me on so many levels. The scenes where they were just hanging out, talking and bickering felt so real. Da’Vine Joy Randolph brought so much heart to her role. It was like watching real people navigate life together, which is rare in movies these days. I highly recommend giving this one a watch!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Paul Giamatti and Alexander Payne”
  • “Viewers who enjoy character-driven dramas”
  • “Those interested in stories set in the 1970s”
  • “Audiences seeking heartwarming holiday films with depth”
  • “Fans of boarding school dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief drug use”
  • “Some sexual references”
  • “Themes of grief and loss”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Payne crafts a poignant and humorous tale of unlikely connections. Giamatti delivers a career-defining performance, supported by Randolph’s heartrending portrayal and Sessa’s compelling debut. A nostalgic, bittersweet journey.
• Rolling Stone: “The Holdovers excels at capturing the 1970s vibe with authenticity. Giamatti and Randolph are Oscar-worthy. The story shines a light on the beauty of human connection amidst life’s challenges.
• Variety: “Alexander Payne delivers a sharp, character-driven drama filled with wit and emotional resonance. Paul Giamatti is perfectly cast. Da’Vine Joy Randolph brings depth. Dominic Sessa a fresh face.

Audience Reactions

The heartfelt performances by the lead actors resonated deeply with viewers.: Fans agree that Giamatti, Randolph, and Sessa delivered unforgettable performances, bringing depth and authenticity to their characters.

Viewers enjoyed the nostalgia and the authenticity of the 1970s setting.: Many appreciated the movie’s attention to detail, which helped to immerse them in the story’s time period and atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: Critics and audiences agree that ‘The Holdovers’ is a heartwarming, character-driven film with excellent performances and a nostalgic setting. It’s a touching story of unlikely friendships and personal growth.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 2024
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)- 2024
3. Golden Globe Award (Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture)- 2024
4. BAFTA Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 2024

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot with vintage lenses and techniques to emulate the look and feel of 1970s cinema, enhancing the film’s authenticity.”
• “Many scenes were filmed at Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, during the school’s February break in 2022, taking advantage of a real snowstorm for the film’s snowy setting.”
• “Alexander Payne added graininess in post-production to give the film a more vintage look, even though it was shot digitally.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Holdovers?

Currently, ‘The Holdovers’ is available to rent or purchase on various platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or for potential broadcast dates on cable television. Keep an eye on platforms like Peacock, as it may become available for streaming there in the future.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Holdovers, you might like these similar films:

• Dead Poets Society (1989): Both films feature a teacher who challenges the status quo at a New England prep school and inspires students to think for themselves.
• About Schmidt (2002): Another Alexander Payne film starring Jack Nicholson, explores themes of loneliness, aging, and finding meaning in life after retirement, similar to Hunham’s journey.
• Good Will Hunting (1997): Like ‘The Holdovers,’ it explores the relationship between a mentor figure and a troubled young person with intellectual gifts.
• Scent of a Woman (1992): A prep school student spends Thanksgiving looking after a blind, retired Army officer. The two learn a great deal from each other.

🛒 The Holdovers Related Products

• The Holdovers Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster. Perfect for fans.
• 1970s Retro Style T-Shirt: A t-shirt designed with a vintage 1970s style, reminiscent of the movie’s setting. A cool and subtle way to show love for ‘The Holdovers’.
• The Holdovers: A Novel: The novelization expands on the film’s story and characters. Dive deeper into the lives of Hunham, Angus, and Mary.
• The Holdovers: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: This collector’s edition includes behind-the-scenes content, deleted scenes, and director’s commentary. Experience ‘The Holdovers’ like never before.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Holdovers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Chatter Box” – performed by Jack Trombey (as Peter Milray)
• “The Wind” – performed by Cat Stevens

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Da’Vine Joy Randolph Wins Best Supporting Actress for ‘The Holdovers’ | 96th Oscars (2024)

Watch Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s triumph at the Oscars as she takes home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her exceptional performance in ‘The Holdovers’. It’s a testament to the movie’s quality and her talent, making this video a must-watch for fans.

How the Perfectly Real Cast of THE HOLDOVERS Came to Be | Origin Story

Explore the fascinating casting process of ‘The Holdovers’ in this behind-the-scenes featurette. Discover how the director carefully assembled a cast that perfectly embodies the characters, bringing authenticity and depth to the film.

The Holdovers – Movie Review

Dive into the world of ‘The Holdovers’ with Chris Stuckmann’s in-depth review. He breaks down the film’s plot, performances, and themes, helping you form a well-rounded opinion on whether it’s worth watching.

THE HOLDOVERS Alexander Payne On Transporting The Audience Back into 1970s | 60 Second Film School

Step into the mind of director Alexander Payne as he discusses his vision for ‘The Holdovers’. Learn about his inspirations, challenges, and techniques in bringing this captivating story to life.

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