Director: Alexander Payne | Writer: David Hemingson
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Is this the year that Paul Giamatti wins an Oscar? As hard as it is to believe, he’s only ever been nominated once, for Supporting Actor in Cinderella Man, and he was beaten by George Clooney in Syriana. First off, not a single person on the planet remembers Syriana or that George Clooney was in it. Secondly, Giamatti has done plenty of work that deserved consideration over the years: Private Parts, Saving Private Ryan, American Splendor, Sideways, The Illusionist, Lady in the Water, Love & Mercy, Private Life. That he’s only ever been nominated once is a travesty, a sham, and a mockery, but perhaps this time the Academy finally gets it right.
Mr. Hunham is a grumpy history and classics teacher at a New England prep school; think Dead Poet’s Society but the 70s, and every student hates their prof “Ol’ Walleye” because he also hates them. And himself. And life in general; he’s just not a happy man. When Christmas comes and he is forced to stay over for the holidays with the few remaining boys at school, Hunham treats it like class as usual. But life doesn’t follow a set pattern, and a student named Angus Tully, who soon finds himself the only kid on campus, is willing to break all the standard rules. Learning from each other and about themselves, teacher and student experience a Christmas they’ll always remember, and begin a friendship they’ll never forget.
This is the year that Paul Giamatti wins it. He and Payne worked together in Sideways, and that’s about as memorable a role as there ever has been in cinema, an iconic performance that deserved all the awards. Well, awards suck, really, and they aren’t a measure of talent or success. So, while I think he *should* win, it doesn’t really matter if he *does* win; we who watch him know what he’s worth. This film is a perfect vehicle for his acting, and Sessa is a perfect sidekick in this movie. He was actually a student at one of the schools they filmed at, the casting director giving a chance to some acting students, and Sessa won the job. He doesn’t seem like a first timer, and he doesn’t fade next to Giamatti, they both bolster each other quite nicely. The film is pleasant, heartfelt, and perhaps a bit formulaic, but you don’t blame it for being predictable; the true heart of the movie shines through, because of the great acting and the awesome sets and a quiet comedy. The Holdovers won’t win Best Picture, but it’s still one of the top films of the year in quality and in enjoyment, and its star deserves his recognition.
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆