They Are THE HOLDOVERS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from director Alexander Payne and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the togetherness of THE HOLDOVERS

It is 1970 and Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is considered a teacher at Barton Academy that no one wants to be around, students or staff. Known for his rules and strictness, it comes as no surprise when he is asked to stay behind at Barton Academy for the Christmas holidays and the ‘holdover’ students who have no place to go.

Agnus Tully (Dominic Sessa) is a forward student who doesn’t mind speaking his piece. Getting ready to go to Saint Kitts, he challenges Hunham’s decision about a test taking but karma has other plans. Tully’s mother burst the young man’s holiday bubble and now he is one of the holdovers. Also staying behind is Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the cafeteria administrator is grieving the loss of her son killed in Vietnam.

After a few days, some of the kids are taken off by one of the boys’ parents with the approval of staff. The only one left is Tully, now it is just a student, professor and cafeteria lady left behind. Hunham and Tully continually butt heads and argue with each other but something begins to happen between them as well.

Taking a trip to Boston, professor and student start talking, asking questions and realizing they have more in common than they could have ever imagined. Truths are told and pain is felt together when it becomes clear the reasons for Tully’s behavior and Hunham’s attitude about life in general.

They travel the road of redemption together.

Giamatti as Hunham is a man that is by the book and living with the ridicule of others. Being a professor, he is almost met with the distain of his students who do not see any reason to learn all that is learnable. When he tussles with student Agnus, there is verbal shots fired but when the smoke clears, there begins an understanding that is deep and palpable. This is a man who has been living a secluded life at the Barton Academy for reasons of his own and shut himself off from anyone that comes close to him. Giamatti always gives such a strong performance no matter what character he is playing but, in this film, Giamatti blossoms wonderfully.

Sessa as Tully is a young man who is trying to find his place in the world but in all the wrong ways. Constantly challenging Hunham at every turn, it becomes slowly clear what is driving his hostility and anger. Sessa gives his young character heart that is broken by the adults that are in his life that should be there for him instead of their own selfishness. When the layers begin to peel back, he sees that the man he has despised will be the adult who doesn’t let him down.   

Randolph as Mary is a woman grieving for the loss of her son trying to find a way to move forward. She isn’t happy about the holdover situation but does her job and surprisingly gets to know Hunham through the quiet of the school and the chance to just talk. Trying to deal with her grief over the holidays becomes a challenge and Hunham is there for her. Randolph gives her character moments of weakness where the grief becomes too much but also finds those who will be there for her. Randolph gives a gentle and heartbreaking performance.            

Other cast include Naheem Garcia as Danny, Carrie Preston as Lydia Crane, Tate Donovan as Stanley, Darby Lily as Elise, Andrew Garman as Dr. Hardy Woodrip, Brady Hepner as Teddy, Stephen Thorne as Thomas Tully, Gillian Vigman as Judy, Jan Dolley as Alex, Jim Kaplan as Ye-Joon, and Michael Provost as Jason Smith.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has just added an amazing film to their library and making it available for us to all experience and re-experience in our own home theaters. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

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Collector’s Edition Bonus Feature include Alternate Ending – “Mary Continues On”, Deleted Scenes, Introduction by Alexander Payne, New Room, Making a Scene, The Road Back to Barton, Ancient History, The Cast of THE HOLDOVERS – Sit down with the cast of THE HOLDOVERS, including Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and newcomer Dominic Sessa while they discuss getting into the minds of their characters, Meet the boys of Barton and learn more about director Alexander Payne’s casting process, and Working with Alexander – Hear the cast and crew about their on-set experience working with acclaimed director Alexander Payne.

THE HOLDOVERS is a film in the same vein as TO SIR WITH LOVE (1967), DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989), STAND AND DELIVER (1988), LEAN ON ME (1989), GOOD WILL HUNTING (1997), and MONA LISA SMILE (2003) and what makes these so memorable is the story, character and emotion that is relatable.

Having the right person lead the ensemble, meaning the teacher, is so very important and Paul Giamatti is absolutely the right person. Keeping the ensemble to three people allows us to get to know these characters and become truly invested in their lives. We all have had the school experience, the disappointment in grown-ups and the life challenges as adults. THE HOLDOVERS lets us in and allows us to be angry, grieve and celebrate what it means to be a growing human being in every aspect. Well done!

In the end – it is the season of discomfort and joy!