The Holdovers
The Holdovers is a 2023 American period comedy drama film directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson. The film stars Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa. Set in 1970, its plot follows a curmudgeon history teacher at a New England prep school who is forced to chaperone the handful of students with nowhere to go over Christmas break. The Holdovers premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. It was released for a limited theatrical release in the United States on October 27, 2023, followed by a wide release on November 10, 2023, by Focus Features. Premise Set in the early 1970s, the film follows Paul Hunham, a disliked teacher at Barton Academy, who's responsible for supervising students who are unable to return home for the Christmas holidays. During this process, Hunham is forced to deal with one particularly rebellious but troubled student, Angus, who is grieving the loss of his father. Cast Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb Carrie Preston as Miss Lydia Crane Gillian Vigman as Judy Clotfelter Tate Donovan as Stanley Clotfelter Production The Holdovers is the second collaboration between director Alexander Payne and actor Paul Giamatti after Sideways (2004). Payne conceived the film's concept after watching a 1930s French film and contacted David Hemingson to write the screenplay, which was originally a writing sample for a television pilot. In June 2021, Miramax acquired the distribution rights. In early 2022, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Carrie Preston joined the cast. Filming began in Massachusetts on January 27, 2022. Release On September 11, 2022, a special screening of the film was held for buyers; the following day, it was reported that Focus Features had acquired the distribution rights for $30 million. The film was originally scheduled to have a limited theatrical release on November 10, 2023, followed by an expansion to wide release on November 22. However, it was pushed up to a limited release on October 27, 2023 followed by a wide release on November 10, 2023. The film's world premiere was held at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. It also screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2023, where it was runner-up for the People's Choice Award. It was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Icon' section and was screened on 7 October 2023. Reception Accolades References External links 2023 comedy-drama films 2020s American films 2020s comedy-drama films 2020s English-language films American Christmas comedy-drama films Films directed by Alexander Payne Films produced by Bill Block Films scored by Mark Orton Films set in the 1970s Films set in 1970 Films set in boarding schools Films set in New England Films shot in Massachusetts Focus Features films Miramax films