From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a prestigious American 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, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).

“The Holdovers” stands out as a beautifully bittersweet film, showcasing director Alexander Payne’s triumphant return to form. With an average rating of 8.5/10 and a Metacritic score of 82, the movie has garnered universal acclaim. Paul Giamatti’s standout performance, coupled with Payne’s adept direction, captures the essence of a personal tragedy with a levity that keeps the narrative afloat. Set against the backdrop of 1970s New England, the film skillfully revives the era’s narrative traditions, earning praise for its authentic look and feel. While some critics argue it’s a pile of clichés, others commend its loving immediacy. Despite varying opinions, “The Holdovers” is hailed as one of the best movies of 2023, blending humor, touching moments, and philosophical depth without succumbing to sentimentality.