The Holdovers directed by Alexander Payne

133 minutes 

Comedy/Drama 

5* out of 5 

DVD and Blu-Ray 

A cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go. 

An elite East Coast boarding school during Christmas break should be an empty place. Paul, a cantankerous history teacher who has managed to piss off the administration, gets stuck with babysitting duty for any children who have been left behind. Joining him is a kitchen staff member who has recently lost a son in the Vietnam War. Five unfortunate students are left behind with nowhere to go, until one’s rich father arrives in a helicopter to take them all on a skiing vacation. All, that is, except for Angus Tully, whose mother and new husband are too busy to give consent for him to go on the trip.  

What follows is an exploration of loneliness and despair, while three people without a family find what it means to make deep, meaningful connections. As they spend time with one another, it becomes increasingly difficult to hide their personal troubles.  

The Holdovers is a masterclass in acting, and Wes Anderson is kicking himself for not making this movie first. It’s a long one but well worth your time.  

-Justin