The Holdovers

An American Christmas comedy-drama film released in 2023, directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson. The story is set in December 1970 at Barton Academy, a boarding school in New England. The strict and fastidious ancient history teacher, Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), disliked by students and colleagues for his harsh grading and unpleasant demeanor, is reprimanded by Headmaster Hardy Woodruff (Andrew Garman) after failing an important benefactor's son on an exam. As punishment, he is assigned to supervise five students remaining on campus during the Christmas holidays, including Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), whose mother canceled his trip to spend her honeymoon with her new husband. Also staying at the school is the cook, Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), mourning the loss of her son who died in Vietnam. Hunham imposes study and physical activities on the students even during the break. Six days later, a parent retrieves four students for a ski trip, leaving Angus, Hunham, and Mary at the academy. After an incident where Angus dislocates his arm, the relationship between him and Hunham begins to change. Hunham organizes a modest Christmas celebration, and they embark on an "educational trip" to Boston, visiting Mary's son's grave and spending time at a restaurant. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $43 million worldwide. The National Board of Review put it on its list of 2023's top ten films, as did the American Film Institute, and the awards piled up from there: two Golden Globe Awards and two BAFTA Awards among them. Da'Vine Joy Randolph was honored as Best Supporting Actress at both ceremonies. The film also garnered five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Paul Giamatti.