Naomi Weisman is a Canadian-Australian and mother of three who loves to ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.
The Holdovers is reminiscent of Robin Williams’ Dead Poet’s Society but with a much smaller cast. It flows with comedy, tragedy, and honesty and is impeccably performed by its amazing cast.
Set in the 1970s, Paul Hunham is a cranky teacher at Barton Academy, a New England boarding school. He is assigned to stay with students who are unable to go home for the holiday break- AKA, the holdovers- like Angus Tully, who at first seems like a spoiled braggart until his story unfolds.
Mary, who runs the cafeteria, is also staying behind to cook for the remaining few. She is mourning the recent death of her son, a former Barton student who was serving in Vietnam instead of attending post-secondary school because he and his mom couldn't afford college tuition.
Nobody is happy to be there or in each other’s company. Not a very merry Christmas!
What can I say about Paul Giamatti (Paul Hunham) that hasn’t been said many times over the years? In times gone by, somebody with his plain everyday looks would have been classified as a “character actor,” so how can we explain his “leading role” status? The answer is that he is a rare actor who can play a character who starts out as a universally detestable authoritarian and gradually evolves into a sympathetic and caring person, like the main protagonist, Paul Hunham.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s portrayal of Mary is masterful. Through her, we get to know Mary as quietly reserved, with a strength of character who is emotionally closed off. She is friendly but won’t let the people around her get too close for fear of her grief being exposed.
This film is a slow boil. It will have you feeling all the feels - sadness, frustration, irritation, amusement, and love, as the story unfolds. I can imagine The Holdovers becoming a holiday classic for those who tire of the steady stream of Hallmark movies that swamp our streaming services every December!
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