One of the most competitive films coming into awards season is The Holdovers. While a lot of awards talk has been surrounding Barbie and Oppenheimer, Alexander Payne’s modern fable is a Christmas classic in the making. The film follows disgruntled boarding school teacher, Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) who must stay at the school over the Christmas break. Stuck with a rebellious but brilliant student (Dominic Sessa) and a cook grieving her son who died in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the film sees a friendship develop between these characters.

Directed by Alexander Payne from a script written by David Hemingson, The Holdovers is simple yet extraordinary. In true Payne style, we are immersed into the surroundings. The minimalism of snowy Boston and the regal halls of the boarding school give an immediate sense of space. Hemingson’s screenplay is a masterclass in writing. Providing plenty of characterisation for its three main characters, The Holdovers gives Giamatti in particular a lot to play with in a relatively short run time.

Paul Giamatti leads the film as miserable teacher, Paul Hunham. The role was written with Giamatti in mind and it’s easy to see why. Hunham’s arc from cynical disciplinarian to vulnerable rule-breaker is not a role that just anyone can play. Having previously been snubbed for his leading performance in Sideways (another Alexander Payne film no less), Giamatti has managed to craft an incredible career playing predominantly supporting characters. This even includes an Oscar nomination for his supporting turn in Cinderella Man. However, it is undoubtedly his magnificent turn in The Holdovers that will be his crowning glory in a truly stunning career.

The most exciting breakout this award season Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb. Her performance is quiet, subtle, and completely heartbreaking. Her presence can be felt in each scene like a raincloud looming that is waiting to burst. The party scene in which we see Mary breakdown over the loss of her son packs an emotional punch. If Giamatti is the soul of the film, then Randolph’s is definitely the heart. It’s incredible to see such a wonderful performance sweeping various major and critic awards.

Providing an exceptional film debut is Dominic Sessa as student, Angus Tully. It’s difficult to believe that this is Sessa’s first ever role. He fits into the role of Angus fantastically, working excellently against Giamatti. It’s evident that he is having fun in the role and the bickering scenes between him and Giamatti are hysterical to watch.

One of the most striking and underrated parts of The Holdovers is the cinematography by Eigil Bryld. Bryld’s understated approach allows the natural beauty of each location to shine through. The dimly lit corridors of the boarding school allow the antiquity and traditional mindset to come to life while the snowy weather is framed in a bleak way due to the baroness of the town.

The music by Mark Orton provides a tranquil backdrop to the film. Never faltering, the music blends with the snowy scenery and exacerbates the heartwarming emotions at the core of the film. Filled with 1970s sounds, Orton does a phenomenal job of capturing the characters’ essence in each track.

Overall, The Holdovers is a Christmas classic in the making. While it may not be family-friendly, this is a feel-good film that is filled with heart-warming characters and backed with an excellent script. This marks Giamatti’s career-best performance, a stunning breakthrough for Randolph and Sessa, and outstanding direction from Payne.

What did you think of The Holdovers? Let me know in the comments!