The Holdovers

9.6 -
Updated review 2024: As cozy & funny, & as sad & wistful, as it was the first time I watched it. I’m so happy Da’Vine Joy Randolph earned the Oscar for her performance last year, it’s so well deserved. Between this & Klaus, it’s amazing we’ve been given two all time holiday classics since 2019.

Initial review: an instant holiday classic & future comfort movie. How can something be so sad & wistful, & so warm & cozy, simultaneously? It hits every true emotion of the holidays, & earns every moment. Aesthetically perfect, & carried by 3 A+ performances. Please see it if you can!

I didn’t expect this to be my favorite movie of the year, but I think it is.

It's a beautiful warm story. Reminded me of movies like Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting. The acting was phenomenal, I was left speechless afew times from the acting alone. The style it was filmed in was so perfectly, simplistically, nostalgic. It's not just a Christmas movie but a people movie. There's something everyone can relate to. The reason I'm not giving it a higher rating is because every time I thought it was coming to an end, it spun me 360 and started a new mission.

Very wholesome with great performances. Though the stakes are lower than the typical movies I like, I was able to really connect with the characters and appreciate every moment.

Reminds me of Dead Poets Society quite a bit. Here you pretty much have 3 core character groups, and with just those 3, you have so many great character moments, whether they're heartwarming or devastating. The whole cast did an amazing job, but Paul Giamatti's performance was on fire!

An unlikely trio do their best to get thru the Christmas holidays in one piece. All the while bonding, learning life lessons and having each other's backs in the long run. Good watch.