The Holdovers [2023] – Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa

The Holdovers - Prime Video Canada February 2024

The Holdovers is a lovely holiday movie to watch that should easily become a movie classic for audiences to return to every season to keep some perspective on human nature, hypocrisy, and the importance of having a warm heart and a calm mind.


In fact, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. Director Alexander Payne manages to hit a very specific tone in his 1970s vibe and asthetics. From the filming techniques all the way to the cast. Honestly, It’s the beautifully-written characters and the actors that inhabit them that made me love it.

I’m usually not a fan of Paul Giamatti. He’s not my cup of tea. But Giamatti’s performance is a pleasure to watch. He is the presiding presence in the movie, and David Hemingson’s erudite screenplay allows him free range to deliver long lines of invective. His performance anchors the grief and complex characters around him.

While Da’Vine Joy Randolph takes the pain and the imminent grief that her character is feeling to the core, making her chain-smoking adaptation to the situation, Dominic Sessa is a blessing in his portrayal as the multilayered young man. First, I wanted to hate him. But halfway thru the movie, similar to Giamatti’s Paul Hunham, I just wanted to give him a hug. This is the beauty of well written and well executed cinema.

The Holdovers – Official Trailer
Should You Watch It?

The Holdovers really lives up to its name… Unfortunately. Worth seeing for its playful homage to a very specific slice of cinema history, for its three lead performances, and for a few very good scenes that come before those last, long 30 minutes.

Where Can I Watch It?

You can stream The Holdovers exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

Rating


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