Not Your Hallmark Christmas Movie

 

Well, here's another way you can celebrate the holidays at the movies.  But, trust me on this.  This is not a film you would mind on the Hallmark Channel.  There are no obvious plot points that will time the script for a kiss.   There's no warm hugs.   And it doesn't star Candace Cameron Bure.

And you actually have to go to a theater to see it.

That said, "The Holdovers" is well worth your holiday movie time.  Because while it is set at Christmas, it just as well could have been set on Arbor Day.  It's about broken people and, frankly, who among us isn't?  Just a little bit.  You get the good feels at the end but it's a long but compelling journey to get there.

First off, I am a sucker for anything director Alexander Payne does.   Truth be told, I met him twice at the hair salon when he and I seemed to be on the same haircut schedule.  His films are always an interesting blend of comedy and drama.   And he always manages to set them in the most desolate of places.  Nebraska in "Nebraska." Some sad Midwestern town in "Election." And, in "The Holdovers," a snow covered and gloomy male boarding school in 1970 Massachusetts.

The title refers to those "holdover" students who have no home to go to for Christmas break.   They hang back in achool and actually have class while others are vacationing.   This particular Christmas, the teacher is the toughest and most hated instructor.  The always welcome Paul Giamatti is marvelous as the most demanding and annoying teacher on the faculty.  

What starts out as a group of five students stuck at school whittles down to one---Angus Tully, whose mother is off on a honeymoon with hubby number 2.  Despite the fact that the kid is rich, his holiday is destined to be a lonely one.  This is the very first movie ever for newcomer Dominic Sessa and he likely will get a Supporting Actor nomination for his work here.  

Rounding out the unfortunate trio is cafeteria worker Mary, who is working the holiday to cover her grief over her son recently being killed in Vietnam.  Again, Da'vina Joy Randolph does solid work here and might be sharing a limo with Dominic on Oscar night.  Indeed, Giamatti will be hitching a ride with them as well.

"The Holdovers" is one of those movies where nothing happens and a lot happens under the surface.   The three characters are working out their personal issues individually and as a group.  The peeling back of each of these onions is slow, methodical, but so fascinating at the same time.  It's one of those movies where every word of dialogue has a purpose whether you realize it or not.

"The Holdovers" is no "Love Actually" and I doubt it will be a perennial Christmas watch.  But it might make my every-other-year rotation just to marvel at the acting one more time.

Check it out.

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Sandwich.