I'm sure many folks will tell you this movie is too earnest or too simple. A curmudgeonly teacher and a wiseass student are stranded at their boarding school over winter break and learn some lessons? I know, I know. But Alexander Payne has been reminding us for a long time that simple stories can also be great stories when told well. This movie took a handful of flawed and relatable characters, put them into circumstances that aren't that tough to imagine, and let them navigate the Christmas of 1970 together. The end result may not be perfect and may veer towards cliché, but it is absolutely moving. By the end, I had laughed and cried and cared. The story took it's time, the vibes were immaculate, and Giamatti made the most of every scene. So believe the people who say this movie's simple, but remember that doesn't mean it isn't really good too.
Review of The Holdovers
