The Holdovers - Budget Unknown - 2 hours and 13 minutes
It's December 1970. The Barton Academy is winding down for the winter holiday, and Dr. Woodrup calls Mr. Paul Hunham into his office. Mr. Endicott can't stay with the holiday holdovers this year, so Woodrup gives Paul the job. Paul believes this is payback for not letting a legacy student pass his ancient civilization class. Paul agrees to babysit the ungrateful students with nowhere to go for the holidays.
Mary Lamb managed the Barton kitchen so her son, Curtis, could attend school there. She supported him but couldn't pay for his college education with partial scholarships. So, Curtis joined the military to receive the G.I. bill later. Unfortunately, he died in the war. Since the school was the last place Mary saw Curtis alive, she didn't want to leave this Christmas. She will stay and serve the holdovers over the winter break.
Angus Tully packs his bag to meet his mother, Judy, and stepfather, Stanley, in St. Kitts. However, his mother changed her mind because she and Stanley never had a honeymoon after marrying in June. So, Judy wants Angus to stay at Barton this year while they enjoy the trip to St. Kitt. Angus begs to go to Boston like she promised in the past, but Judy says no. Angus joins the other holdovers, Teddy, Alex, Ye-Joon, and Jason, until the New Year. He hates spending it with his least favorite teacher, Paul.
On day one, Paul tells the holdovers they will read, work out, and study during the break. The school cut off the heat everywhere but the infirmary, so they will stay there. Paul will give detention as needed. The boys groan at the dictatorship. After four days, they hear a helicopter fly over. It's Jason's father. He relented and decided to allow Jason to spend Christmas with the family despite not cutting his hair. Jason asks if the other holdovers can come. Although Jason's father is okay with this arrangement, Paul calls their parents. All say yes, but Angus's. Paul couldn't get Judy or Stanley on the phone. Mary, Paul, and Angus are stuck together. Will they survive each other?
This movie is astounding from beginning to end. The title card and introduction transport the audience to the 1970s. Although everyone is stuck on campus, they don't know why. They make assumptions. Each day, they pull back the layers of their pain, joy, and love to reveal their core. Students, teachers, and faculty spend hours together but rarely expand on their lives. The film's writing is pure genius. It has witty comebacks, honest reactions, and heart-warming reveals. Be ready to laugh out loud with shock and awe. This movie takes viewers through a wave of emotions. Each actor gives an award-winning performance, and location filming, practical sets, and natural light will inspire a new generation of directors. This film is a masterclass.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I resent that baseless accusation - Angus
Rich and dumb; a popular combination around here - Mary
It's this one. This is the one you should look at - Paul
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