In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Sunday, 15 December 2024

The Holdovers (2023)


This was a very charming movie and a pleasant way to spend two hours. I especially dug the way it revives that raw and gritty 1970s film aesthetic. 
A student is stuck at university over Christmas break with his strict, humorless teacher and the no-nonsense cafeteria lady, where he gets into trouble due to the boredom and frustration of his circumstances. This is the kind of film that grows on you and manages to win you over with an anti-holiday sentiment that somehow perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the season. I forgot how much I missed Paul Giamatti in a leading role like this because he commands every scene he's in, and it earned him a well-deserved Oscar win. The whole movie contains understated moments of brilliance which really hit home.

4 wonky eyes out of 5

1 comment:

Neg said...

I saw Dominic Sessa in a hotels(dot)com (or the like) commercial, after this. It really pissed me off. Give him more work, dammit. The way they got the other kids out of the picture was very convenient, but that couldn't bring it down. I liked it a whole damn LOT.