Bill and I watched this beautifully bittersweet movie last night. We knew nothing about this 2023 film except for the brief description below; we were sold after watching the trailer. Paul Giamatti is an excellent actor and his performance was impeccable. There were some award-winning insults and one-liners delivered with great aplomb. If you’re looking for a lighthearted romcom, this is not for you. We enjoyed this one a lot and highly recommend it.
The Holdovers follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them …. a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) …. and with the school’s head cook (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
Let’s watch the trailer.
I’ll save you a seat. Enjoy the movie! 🎥 🍿 🥤
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Watched this yesterday and loved it. Thanks for sharing
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So glad you had a chance to watch. It’s a wonderful flick!
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I love that one. So well done. My brother-in-law teaches in a boarding school very similar to that one. He says that the movie is sadly true to life. Also, I was a mother’s helper the summer after I graduated from high school. It shocked me to hear the parents talk about how they couldn’t wait until the children were old enough to send to boarding school. Sad, and yet the end of The Holdovers is so poignant and sweet.
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It saddens me to learn that parents are so quick to send their kids away to school. A time will come when they will be looking for those same kids who probably will want nothing to do with them.
The Holdovers was an exceptional movie. I don’t want to say too much in case there are people reading who have not seen the movie yet …. but …. ultimately, the teacher did what any good person with a heart and a conscience would do. Who knows where the road will lead him? I’m sure he will always be thankful for his holdover Christmas at boarding school.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Nancy, I watched this one around Christmas last year iirc and loved it. Giamatti is good in anything he does. Da’Vine is kind of new to me but I really liked her in this. And “the kid” is a total newcomer to acting.
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The kid I didn’t like at all at first but that’s the way we were supposed to feel. Paul Giamatti is a real pro while coming across as a natural; Da’Vine was excellent as the hard-working, grieving mother. Such a great ensemble cast, excellent movie. Thanks, Lisa.
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YW Nancy
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Giamatti was great in “The Illusionist” with Edward Norton.
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It took we a while to warm up to Giamatti but I now think he’s one of our bettor actors. Thanks, John.
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I haven’t heard of that one. Thank you, Nancy.
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It was new to us also, Esther. An excellent film.
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That movie looks very much like seeing, going by the trailer.
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It was excellent, Glyn. Hope you get to watch.
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An impressive cast, and a real win for Giamotti!
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Yes, I agree. Sounds like you’ve seen this one, Liz.
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Yes!!
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I’ve never watched this – perhaps I should!
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It’s quite good, Keith; I think you’ll enjoy it. Not all shitz and giggles but there are some choice one-liners and insults I know you’ll appreciate.
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I saw this before, but I think I will watch it again on Amazon Prime video.
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It’s a good one, Jim. Enjoy!
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I’ll get back to you after I watch it today, Thanx for the heads up Nancy!!!
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It’s a good one, Ernie. Enjoy!
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This looks really good! Got to dig out the popper!
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Extra large for this one, D. It’s a winner!
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Looks good, I’ll seek it out. Thanks for the tip. Any movie that has Badfinger music is fine by me 👍
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There was some good music in this one; it takes place in 1971, after all! It’s a very finely acted movie with depth and character. I think you’ll enjoy it.
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Thank you, it sounds good. I looked it up and it is available on the streaming service that is part of my main tv package, so I’ve added it to my watchlist 😊
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Enjoy! Giamatti is excellent.
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It looks like a great watch. I’ll see if I can find it here.
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Enjoy it Sadje, if you do.
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It’s not on Netflix or Amazon prime here. 😢
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Oh, too bad. We watched on Amazon Prime.
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They have different shows/ movies for different regions. 😞
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Ah, I see.
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Very sad. We have mostly Indian content here
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A excellent movie, albeit one that had, for me, a melancholic conclusion. I still can’t decide if I should be happy for the instructor not.
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Definite mixed emotions, Allen, but leaning more toward being happy for him. I believe he realized more over that short Christmas break than in his entire life. Great comment, Allen.
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I think your right, Nancy. My concern was about where does he go at his age.
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