‘The Holdovers’ Review: Alexander Payne Reunites With Paul Giamatti in What Feels Like a Lost ’70s Classic
variety.comPeter Debruge Chief Film Critic We’ve all seen our share of stories about inspirational teachers. “The Holdovers” is dedicated to the opposite sort: a hard-ass named Paul Hunham whom everyone hates.
The feeling is mutual, as Mr. Hunham considers most of the kids enrolled at Barton Academy to be entitled little monsters, and the administration to be even more corrupt.
Judging by the evidence director Alexander Payne provides, Mr. Hunham’s not wrong. But he is uncharitable, and in that respect, the movie couldn’t be more different: It’s a generous drama about three wounded souls stranded at Barton over Christmas break, during which this coldhearted private school Scrooge gets a welcome chance to thaw.
The year is 1970, but “The Holdovers” is not your typical period movie. Instead, it feels as if Payne (a heroic film preservation advocate) unearthed this vintage artifact from the era in which it takes place.
Read more on variety.com