Just saw it, full theater, mostly of the over-50 Sunday afternoon movie crowd, best theatrical experience in years. The Icarus joke at the end had us all dying
My Cousin highly recommend it. I can’t wait to see it. It cheered him up because he could relate. He saw the movie at the theatre. ALONE. He’s doing better now. He WAS suicidal.❤
SPOILERS But- I think the thing that I really thought about the day after seeing this was how Angus was constantly very cynical because everyone is just doing what his mother did to his father, sent him away. Every action that he steps out of line? "Detention!" or "You'll be suspended!" Everyone's solution to difficult people in the film is "Get them out of here!" His parents sent him to boarding school, they don't want him around Christmas, and they are absent the entire film...until Angus did something to reconnect him with his father. A best intention visit becomes an inconvenience for Angus' parents and THAT is why they show up and care, because a small thing inconvenience them. A problem that could be solved if they regularly visit his father, if they just cared, but instead it's an annoyance to send their kid to military school that could possibly end up in Vietnam. Sending away the problem so it's out of sight, out of mind. That's a point I really thought about with this film.
And it was not just with Angus, it’s also with some of the other characters, like that kid Paul and the headmaster were talking about that he failed. Now that he had failed him, this created a problem that the headmaster had to still deal with despite the latter trying to convince Paul to give the kid a passing grade because he was a legacy. Also, it was not only so the kids dad could stay on as a donor, but it’s also so they could avoid a problem and it doesn’t matter if he is getting the education or not. But yeah, maybe if angus mom or some cases the stepfather as well would actually be a parent and supportive of their son like Paul was, maybe he wouldn’t be the way he was.
@@richie9308My high school principal had a saying: "People always want to jump to the solution and not work on the process" and I think that kind of encapsulates this film. Everyone wants to just "Send away" the person who's the problem instead of investing the time to work with them.
Plus, when his mom said that there were going to spend time with him for spring break and summer, I seriously doubt that was going to happen as it would’ve been the same result as Christmas break. On top of that, Angus throughout the film was shown to be unique and really not the problem. At the beginning of the film, he was the only one that got a higher grade on the exam than anyone else and in the film was a very knowledgeable kid who was seen as a problem by those who were the cause of him being seen as one. He was totally different from the other students who didn’t have to try hard as long as their parents were donors. He actually wanted to do better and he proved that with the right support from Paul and Mary.
I went into this movie blind knowing absolutely nothing an thought that the other students left behind were going to make for like a breakfast club type thing so when they all left early in the movie I was surprised. So maybe that’s why they were included?
You’re the first person who mentioned the In Bruges connection. It’s one of my most watched movies of all time. This elevates the film in my book. “Christ on a Crutch! What kind of a fascist hash foundry are you running here?“ “There was a time when the fire in my loins burned white hot. The details would curl your toes.” Da’Vine Joy was great in The Holdovers (and the best part of that terrible HBO show The Idol).
This was my favorite movie of '23, easily. Also I thought Paul Giamatti was just incredible. I think his performance outshined any of the supposed great pergformances this year (Cillian Murphy and Bradly Cooper are just not in the same league - just vcan't match him for authenticity and ability to emotionally engage). How many actors can you feel totally connected to in each and every scene? This guy's talent as an actor is up there with the best of the best.
One thing noticed on my second watch, when Mary got to her sisters house, she put her sons baby clothes in the drawer so her nephew could used them. I know it seems obvious, but I just loved that, a great end to her arch
Great video made me appreciate the film even more, I agree the film really hits its stride when the other holdovers leave but I don’t think it would work without them there for a bit
I watched this movie and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I actually did enjoy the film. What I most liked about it was that the one Black woman in the story was a fully fleshed out character. She had a backstory, a family, a character arc, a hopeful future. She wasnt just set decoration or a stereotype. I like that the movie even though its set during a certain time period doesn't lean into showing her as a victim of racism, although some of the students are jerks! We dont always want to be reminded of that in every historical film that includes Black people.
The Holdovers is a fist with a handful of wet coins to the face on a freezing February overcast afternoon in front of a family member silently watching you from your beat-up car. You, as the viewer, lose a couple of teeth and spring a bloody nose, but you're left a changed man. Two thumbs up, and a hackneyed Denny's cheeseburger with day-old coleslaw and fountain soda to help you recover and lick your wounds.
Absolutely loved this movie, and i know its probably exaggerated to some but i think this would be a christmas classic had it released decades prior, it has this mix of breakfast club, dead poets society, scent of a woman and a smidgen of good will hunting, but is still entirely unique becuz like all those other great films its all about the original characters and the wonderful performances. But of course so much of this movie is thanks to a brilliant script, like seriously who would’ve expected nowadays that such a technically limited concept would have so much depth, and so much wit spawned from it. Its emotional, heartwarming, hilarious, endlessly quotable, my favourite movie of the year and i just watched it two days ago Also just want to agree with what u mentioned about the supporting actors, watching this movie my dad immediately said that the niece is also acting great, and she had only minutes of screentime yet felt extremely realistic, like all the teachers that remind me of IB. Just an aside: the direction is phenomenal, it captures that 70s aesthetic (production design all phenomenal, they chose several places to represent Barton and didn’t just build a set, feels properly lived-in) it takes notice of all the atmosphere and subtle narrative beats (like all the memoriam/RIP’s being shown in a few seconds before the church sermon) in seconds, and comedic timing is exceptional. Great review!
Excellent movie and Giomatti was outstanding. Yes, I agree it is a Christmas movie, however releasing in November is Marketing getting that extra mileage out of both the story and the season.
They should have released this movie in December, not early November. This is a Christmas movie.
Just saw it, full theater, mostly of the over-50 Sunday afternoon movie crowd, best theatrical experience in years. The Icarus joke at the end had us all dying
My Cousin highly recommend it. I can’t wait to see it. It cheered him up because he could relate. He saw the movie at the theatre. ALONE.
He’s doing better now. He WAS suicidal.❤
SPOILERS But-
I think the thing that I really thought about the day after seeing this was how Angus was constantly very cynical because everyone is just doing what his mother did to his father, sent him away. Every action that he steps out of line? "Detention!" or "You'll be suspended!" Everyone's solution to difficult people in the film is "Get them out of here!" His parents sent him to boarding school, they don't want him around Christmas, and they are absent the entire film...until Angus did something to reconnect him with his father. A best intention visit becomes an inconvenience for Angus' parents and THAT is why they show up and care, because a small thing inconvenience them. A problem that could be solved if they regularly visit his father, if they just cared, but instead it's an annoyance to send their kid to military school that could possibly end up in Vietnam. Sending away the problem so it's out of sight, out of mind.
That's a point I really thought about with this film.
And it was not just with Angus, it’s also with some of the other characters, like that kid Paul and the headmaster were talking about that he failed. Now that he had failed him, this created a problem that the headmaster had to still deal with despite the latter trying to convince Paul to give the kid a passing grade because he was a legacy. Also, it was not only so the kids dad could stay on as a donor, but it’s also so they could avoid a problem and it doesn’t matter if he is getting the education or not. But yeah, maybe if angus mom or some cases the stepfather as well would actually be a parent and supportive of their son like Paul was, maybe he wouldn’t be the way he was.
@@richie9308My high school principal had a saying: "People always want to jump to the solution and not work on the process" and I think that kind of encapsulates this film. Everyone wants to just "Send away" the person who's the problem instead of investing the time to work with them.
Plus, when his mom said that there were going to spend time with him for spring break and summer, I seriously doubt that was going to happen as it would’ve been the same result as Christmas break. On top of that, Angus throughout the film was shown to be unique and really not the problem. At the beginning of the film, he was the only one that got a higher grade on the exam than anyone else and in the film was a very knowledgeable kid who was seen as a problem by those who were the cause of him being seen as one. He was totally different from the other students who didn’t have to try hard as long as their parents were donors. He actually wanted to do better and he proved that with the right support from Paul and Mary.
I never thought of it this way! Thank you for this perspective, I like how you think!
I went into this movie blind knowing absolutely nothing an thought that the other students left behind were going to make for like a breakfast club type thing so when they all left early in the movie I was surprised. So maybe that’s why they were included?
You’re the first person who mentioned the In Bruges connection. It’s one of my most watched movies of all time. This elevates the film in my book.
“Christ on a Crutch! What kind of a fascist hash foundry are you running here?“
“There was a time when the fire in my loins burned white hot. The details would curl your toes.”
Da’Vine Joy was great in The Holdovers (and the best part of that terrible HBO show The Idol).
The xherry scene brought out lots of laughter
This was my favorite movie of '23, easily. Also I thought Paul Giamatti was just incredible. I think his performance outshined any of the supposed great pergformances this year (Cillian Murphy and Bradly Cooper are just not in the same league - just vcan't match him for authenticity and ability to emotionally engage). How many actors can you feel totally connected to in each and every scene? This guy's talent as an actor is up there with the best of the best.
like it be into the 1970 school days too, and seeing had it was cool , like it now,
This is my new favorite holiday movie. I love this movie.
One thing noticed on my second watch, when Mary got to her sisters house, she put her sons baby clothes in the drawer so her nephew could used them. I know it seems obvious, but I just loved that, a great end to her arch
I absolutely loved this movie! ❤️
Great video made me appreciate the film even more, I agree the film really hits its stride when the other holdovers leave but I don’t think it would work without them there for a bit
Oscars all around...PLEASE!!!
I watched this movie and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I actually did enjoy the film. What I most liked about it was that the one Black woman in the story was a fully fleshed out character. She had a backstory, a family, a character arc, a hopeful future. She wasnt just set decoration or a stereotype.
I like that the movie even though its set during a certain time period doesn't lean into showing her as a victim of racism, although some of the students are jerks! We dont always want to be reminded of that in every historical film that includes Black people.
Solid review. When you do your version could you set it in the 80's? Small liberal arts College in Appalachia.
Great review. Everything about this film was so authentic, from the characters to the setting. Great soundtrack, too.
The Holdovers is a fist with a handful of wet coins to the face on a freezing February overcast afternoon in front of a family member silently watching you from your beat-up car. You, as the viewer, lose a couple of teeth and spring a bloody nose, but you're left a changed man. Two thumbs up, and a hackneyed Denny's cheeseburger with day-old coleslaw and fountain soda to help you recover and lick your wounds.
Absolutely loved this movie, and i know its probably exaggerated to some but i think this would be a christmas classic had it released decades prior, it has this mix of breakfast club, dead poets society, scent of a woman and a smidgen of good will hunting, but is still entirely unique becuz like all those other great films its all about the original characters and the wonderful performances. But of course so much of this movie is thanks to a brilliant script, like seriously who would’ve expected nowadays that such a technically limited concept would have so much depth, and so much wit spawned from it. Its emotional, heartwarming, hilarious, endlessly quotable, my favourite movie of the year and i just watched it two days ago
Also just want to agree with what u mentioned about the supporting actors, watching this movie my dad immediately said that the niece is also acting great, and she had only minutes of screentime yet felt extremely realistic, like all the teachers that remind me of IB.
Just an aside: the direction is phenomenal, it captures that 70s aesthetic (production design all phenomenal, they chose several places to represent Barton and didn’t just build a set, feels properly lived-in) it takes notice of all the atmosphere and subtle narrative beats (like all the memoriam/RIP’s being shown in a few seconds before the church sermon) in seconds, and comedic timing is exceptional. Great review!
Great review. Love the movie. It‘s an instant classic.
Excellent movie and Giomatti was outstanding. Yes, I agree it is a Christmas movie, however releasing in November is Marketing getting that extra mileage out of both the story and the season.
Honestly, one could teach a class on effective script writing using this film…
Fantastic review of this amazing movie ❤😊.
Well done
I was disappointed in The holdovers
Great movie.....
Why wouldn’t you be interested in Boston when you live in Massachusetts.
Best movie of the year is Saltburn