The Holdovers (2023)★ 8.0/10

I went in with high hopes and got a heartwarming, cozy Christmas movie. The storytelling isn't that straightforward, with side characters or unimportant events being kinda distracting at times. The warm vibe the film gives off isn't clichéd, but it's not something that leaves a lasting impression, either. The soundtrack is pretty catchy, though.

This movie has a rather "old-school" feel to it. The vintage visuals and theme, featuring a snowy Christmas night and lonely individuals coming together, create a fuzzy warmth that leaves me feeling all cozy inside.

From the aesthetics to the plot, this film depicts an era that's long gone. Nonetheless, it’s an era brimming with life and interesting ideas. A movie that believes in the good of average, flawed people is weirdly out of place nowadays and I think that is not right.

This isn’t just a film set in the 70s - it feels like it’s been plucked right from that exact period - fully authentic the whole way through both stylistically and emotionally. It’s easy to see this degrade into saccharine schmaltz in anyone else's hands; but here, because every emotional moment feels authentic - the movie is just so touching and relatable. Paul Giamatti is perfect. Dominic Sessa is a revelation. And Da’vine Joy Randolph? The heart of it all. Alexander Payne’s best since “Sideways”.

I could watch Paul Giamatti's and Dominic Sessa's banter for days. The writing is incredibly smart and witty. Da'Vine Joy Randolph's performance is amazing and heart-wrenching. I can tell this will be many people's favorite Christmas movie for years to come. I know it's already one of mine.

What I find fascinating about this film isn’t so much the staggering breakthrough of Dominic Sessa, or Paul Giamatti loudly reminding us that he’s one of the greatest to grace the screen, or even Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s effortless command of every scene. What I find fascinating is the fact that people are willing to accept the heartwarming nature of the story. Brilliant stuff.

It’s a lovely story about life from Alexander Payne, a simple, humble, and elegant reminder that everyone we encounter is fighting their own battle. I found this to be a gentle ode of compassion, well written and directed with quiet wisdom. Highly recommended.

I found The Holdovers to be a heartwarming film, which admirably combines drama with comedy. From this point of view, it reminded me a lot of "The Graduate", with that bittersweet taste it leaves you with when it ends. In addition to other more immediate aspects, such as the overall look of the film. The three performances were flawless.

This movie feels pretty old-fashioned, more like something from 2003 than 2023. The main plot is pretty clichéd, focusing on a group of lonely, unpopular, and troubled characters finding solace and redemption in each other. However, the attention to detail is genuinely moving, and what stands out the most is the emotional restraint. It doesn't go out of its way to manipulate emotions or give the characters any extra luck. As a result, the marginalized characters continue to struggle right to the end, which makes it feel very true to life.

For me, this movie is actually reminiscent of "Manchester by the Sea”, portraying a story of broken individuals saving each other. Despite delving into outdated and seemingly mundane topics, the movie skillfully ties up all the loose ends, and I was pleasantly surprised by the way all the small details came together. By the way, the young actor Dominic Sessa gave a solid performance.

It’s a movie that's perfect for a chilly day. How good is it? Well, my grandma actually got up from the couch and settled into her rocking chair right in front of the TV to better watch it. However, the film lacks a bit of excitement, possibly because it's a Christmas movie, so it ultimately remains traditional and mellow. The beginning is too slow and I felt like I wasted 30 minutes, and it only really picks up from the Christmas party scene onwards. We still bank our hopes on some fresh, youthful elements, even though the overall look and production are quite retro and old-fashioned. Nonetheless, we can still raise a glass to our "history" in our later years.