The Holdovers is a Christmas classic in the making. Or, that's just way Alexander Payne wanted us to feel while watching it. Either way, this is the bittersweet comedy of the season and an absolute must see. The laughs really sting. Payne is at his very best with this material. You'll notice right away the 1970s pastiche, complete with a crackly, poppy celluloid sheen (even though this film was shot digitally), but that is not even close to what makes The Holdovers so special. It has, arguably, the richest screenplay written this year. The characters are developed beautifully, akin to a novel. Payne understands that when the story and characters shine the most brightly in a film, everything else is Thanksgiving gravy. Paul Giamatti is, once again, a treasure as Paul Hunham. Even in a film as good as this, Giamatti is the heart and soul.
Review of The Holdovers
