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