What a fantastic and truly heartfelt rollercoaster ride of a comedy drama. I was stunned how much the film wears it heart proudly on its shoulder, made exceptional with the sharp, witty script on display here. Giamatti and the cast deserve praise for their remarkable performance and chemistry together.

You sold me, great review as always! I was stuck at a boarding school for the holidays too but there was no other students and faculty there and all there was to eat was some reheated macaroni and cheese that was turning into orange goo. I got really hungry…finally I called a friend to come get me.

Again, I totally agree with you! I just streamed it and I'm not ashamed to say I teared up multiple times. But, it also made me laugh! It was so well done- the cinematography, the music, the three main performances, the humor and heart in the writing. This was one of my favorite films of the year.

Great review Alachia! This is truly a joyous, feel-good gem and an ABSOLUTE Christmas classic (despite what Alexander Payne has to say about all of that). Paul Giamatti is career best here, easily.

I thought this was going to be an overly quirky, Wes Anderson-lite type film, but for you to give it such a glowing review, will definitely have to check it out.

Alexander Payne is always solid.

I'm loving your constant output of new videos. We're so much BACK

The direction of this movie is exactly what I wish Wes Anderson would make, a film that has style and witty dialogue but it never feels forced or distracting

So glad you reviewed this one. Suspected it would be good but was hesitant. I enjoy listening to your voice. The way you annunciate and the rhythm of your speech is pleasant.

Did you watch Billions on showtime? Paul Giamatti was fantastic in that. The series just wrapped and I am so upset because it was my absolute favorite show that I was watching. The whole series was fantastic. Check it out. At least watch the very first episode, and you will be hooked.

I finally saw it. It was a great movie but every time there was a possibility for something uplifting to happen they go in the opposite direction. It made me feed sad. What works for me is in the how immersive it was. It really takes the time to explore the characters in many cases. The cinematography was brilliant and understated. It’s been like 4 months since you posted a video and I miss your unique voice on KZfaq. Hope all is well!

The movie was greet!!! We need more Drama’s in the theatre like these ❤❤❤❤🥤 🍿 📺

Lots of holiday films claim to bring the magic of the season, but usually wind up being as cloying and forced as the afore mentioned cliche. This one delivers. But not in any way one might suspect. As this film ends no deep problems are resolved, no one changes for the better, in fact the main character has a new problem to face before the end credits roll. What it does have is the real moments of temporary friendships, where people can open up about their problems and find warmth for a brief moment before resuming their lives after the holiday. I felt this deeply. Instant classic for me.

Reminds me of a Wes Anderson film. The way you described it, as hot chocolate on a cold winter night, is how I would describe Wes Anderson's films.

I went to see this movie by myself to kinda escape a hectic week, and it was an amazing experience. It reminded me a lot of movies like Dead Poets Society or Good Will Hunting. It was so nice to go see just a original story. I did not need to see the previous 6 movies and 3 tv shows to understands anything . I did not need to be keyed into political commentary, nor was I just pacified with large explosions and fan service . It was a legitimately good drama about the people around you and experiencing life. I was engaged while also being able to disconnect from the world around me. I did not expect the movie to be so funny when I saw it. I wish more original stories got told with this level of a theatrical release. I loved the movie the Creator that came our this year, and it bombed at the box office but again it was just so refreshing to see an original story that depends on the actors and less on the visual effects or lore.

Nice review, Alachia. I'm happy to see you found a movie that didn't suck the life out of you.👍

Just watched it, for sure an underrated movie. Has to be in my top 3 of films released this year.

It's Alexander Payne, it's bound to be great. Downsizing hit me hard Hong Chau was amazing.

Decided to see this instead of The Marvels this weekend; thank you for the review!

2:55 small correction: The relationship doesn’t “unravel” ( ie fall apart, disintegrate…) it “unfolds” (I.e., develops, matures.) In unrelated news, you are my favorite film reviewer. Excellent analysis every time. ⭐️ Great film and great review. ❤

1:57 I believe there actually is social commentary here; it’s just subtler than most, and it’s also integral to the story (as opposed to inserted where unnecessary), so not everyone picked up on it.

Are they even marketing this? Looks promising.

Thanks! I LOVED The Descendants. *Also Alexander Payne So, I'm encouraged!

Seems quite wholesome and fun, will look for it. Tnx

Hm, I'll check out. It's pretty hard to come by for watching a 'feel good' movie genre. I dunno, I'm beyond intoxicated in today's movies. Probably is the kind of movie I need. Plus, I like Paul Giamatti 👍. Awesome review 😊👍.

I love your reference to the USA channel! I'm sure a lot of people didn't get that.

Very much looking forward to seeing this one.

I was also underwhelmed by the trailer, but it ended up being my favorite film out of a 13-movie holiday break marathon. Just pure alchemy. Reminded me a lot of The Bear season 1, or perhaps what The Breakfast Club might have felt like to its generation. It's so sweet and vulnerable. And funny! I loved how Paul's character weaponizes his vocabulary like a misanthropic college sophomore (i.e. "Get up you fetid layabouts!"). He and Tully are such faithful portrayals of underdeveloped, miserable smart people just busting at the seams. But the perspective and direction of the movie is so forgiving, light and therapeutic. It's so rare to see movies or shows that fire on all cylinders like that.

I got a little sand in my eye at the end of the film. 😊

Holy Shit. I haven't seen one of your videos in about 5 years!

I agree with your husband. The power swap plot gimmick seemed so lame and exhausting that I wasn't going to see the film mostly based on that. Now if it was the return of Ronin or if Galactus was teased, I might've bought a ticket.

Watched this movie with my wife a couple of days ago. Nice, feel good movie, your review is spot on. One question: did they switch the fake eye in Giamati's character at some point during the movie? I think they may have.

Great review. I haven’t seen it yet, but I hope this movie has more in common with Harold And Maude and Little Miss Sunshine than with the pretentiousness of Wes Anderson. Fingers crossed.

B!? That's harsh... I just came back from theatre and I thought it was A or even A+

A "B" rating? I think it deserves an A-. My sole criticism is that it was a little too long. They could have cut some footage from the first hour, seeing as most of the students leave the film. Too much time spent on characters who don't stick around. Good review though. 👍

Happy Wednesday.

It Is Wednesday my dudes Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 🦍

I'm so messed in the head that I heard "Holder-verse" instead of "Holdovers".

Get that gold statue shined up

Am I the only one that wouldn’t consider this “feel good”?

Just finished watching it... I thought it was good, It needed more extremes for me to move it above a (C)... Why??? Because its not as good as The Dead Poets Society😅

No, it's not witty, that script is fractured each scene. Teach has an alcohol issue, but nothing is explored a moment about his alcohol issue. The Mormon kid gets picked on, but nothing is explored about the Mormon kid. Fellow female school worker invitingly has Teach over for her Christmas party, but nothing is explored about a potential relationship with her. Oh, she has a boyfriend to explain it away! Teen boy meets young girl at Christmas party and then...nothing is explored between them. This and a dozen other ways makes The Holdovers script so painfully fractured, with scene after scene isolated with no meaningful follow ups.

Seriously? This film sucked. The screenplay and acting, save for Giamatti, was forced, contrived, and abysmal. You seem like an intelligent person. I cannot believe you fell for this tripe.

But Alachia, all they needed to do was "put a female in the movie and make her lame and gay!"