As a gamer with a heart for movies, especially during the holiday season, I can confidently say that I’ve watched my fair share of Christmas films. Some have left me with warm fuzzy feelings, others with a longing for a simpler time, and a select few have made me question my own sanity. But among all these experiences, there are those rare gems that manage to encapsulate the essence of the holiday spirit while still maintaining a raw, honest portrayal of human emotions – and The Holdovers is one such gem.
Achieving a spot among the top Christmas Movies is no simple feat, and it seldom happens that the audience readily accepts a new film into such an esteemed category, given that studios produce fresh movies year after year. It can be challenging to pinpoint what constitutes a fantastic holiday movie, more so when the selection ranges from emotional masterpieces like “It’s A Wonderful Life” to lighter fare like “Jingle All The Way“. Nonetheless, I recently revisited the 2023 film “The Holdovers” during this festive season with my Prime membership, and I believe it deserves a place in this revered category.
2023’s dramedy garnered numerous Oscar nominations post-release and now, a year later, it’s worthy of another honor for being an exceptional holiday film that offers great rewatchability. As you plan your 2024 Christmas viewing list and select favorites, I strongly recommend giving this one a watch.
The Holdovers Reminds Us That Not Every Christmas Is Great, But That’s Ok
It’s likely that we all recall the most dismal Christmas we ever experienced, and if you’re like me, you prefer to steer clear of dwelling on those memories. The festive season is supposed to be filled with joy, or at least that’s how it can feel sometimes. For those who aren’t feeling the holiday spirit, it can be a real downer during this Blue Christmas.
“The Holdovers” focuses intensely on the melancholic essence of the festive season, bringing together three individuals who find themselves unwillingly bound by the Christmas break. Among them is a child left behind by his mother and stepfather during the holidays, an unlucky-in-love teacher with a bitter heart, and a mourning mother whose son has recently passed away.
There’s no way around it, this is a sad Christmas movie, but some of the best of the genre are sad. It’s A Wonderful Life, Jack Frost, The Holiday, the list goes on. I’ll boldly state that if you’re looking for a modern classic for Christmas that is also emotional and sad, this is the option. The Holdovers is as good as every Oscar nomination it received, and damn good, even if it is sad. The critics all agreed back when it was first released, this is worth watching.
Through The Sadness, It Hits On An Important Message Of The Holidays Worth Remembering
Despite the melancholy and dismal scenes in “The Holdovers”, a profoundly uplifting message emerges. In the darkest hours, the spirit of Christmas has the power to transform the hardest hearts and encourage even the most skeptical individuals to act kindly towards others and lend a helping hand.
The teacher, despite his chronic hangover and gruff demeanor, has a deep affection for his difficult but intellectually gifted student. Over time, he is learning to see past the rules and authority, recognizing the student as a fellow human being who may have faced challenges in life that he himself has not known.
In this film, there is a significant change in the dynamic between Paul Giamatti’s character, Paul Hunham, and Dominic Sessa’s character, Angus Tully. It seems plausible that their bond might not have formed as strongly if they hadn’t been compelled to share the holiday season together, driving each other up the wall. The movie “The Holdovers” suggests that they may have become close regardless, considering their contentious relationship at the film’s beginning when Paul thought he was going to be able to go home for Christmas.
Fantastic Performances From Paul Giamatti And Da’Vine Joy Randolph Sends This Over The Top
In a different phrasing, Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph were both nominated for an Oscar in the movie The Holdovers, but Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Oscar anticipation escalated into her actual onstage excitement about winning. Frankly, I believe that her win is thoroughly deserved because she portrays the sorrow of a grieving person during the holidays exceptionally well. Everyone can empathize with that first holiday season without a loved one, and it becomes even more challenging when they were close to you.
The Best Paul Giamatti Movies And How To Watch Them
As a passionate gamer, let me tell you that Paul Giamatti is an actor who always delivers a stellar performance without fail. Over the years, he has proven to be a consistent powerhouse in Hollywood, even when the script isn’t exceptional. When the script is top-notch, like in the case of “The Holdovers,” it’s something truly remarkable. I have no doubt that this movie will be remembered as one of his most celebrated performances in an already illustrious career, and that’s saying a lot.
Apart from praising Dominic Sessa for his outstanding performance, let me add that his career has significantly escalated following “The Holdovers”. Transforming from an obscure actor in the industry, he’s been selected to portray the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain in an upcoming biopic. Frankly, his depiction of Angus Tully is so convincing, it seems as if you’ve seen Sessa in other productions before. If his trajectory continues as I suspect, this film will undoubtedly cement itself further as a timeless classic.
Without Sessa, Giamatti, or Randolph, the film “The Holdovers” could become a cherished Christmas tradition. As previously stated, I’m not the one to single-handedly proclaim it so. My role is simply to spread the word about its merit online, hoping that more people will join in the conversation. It might eventually find a place in the annual rotation of Christmas movies on TV, or maybe even get its own 24/7 marathon like “A Christmas Story” and other favorites. Admittedly, that’s quite ambitious, but I do believe there are many who would appreciate this movie if they gave it a chance.
If you want to watch The Holdovers instantly, you can do so on Prime Video, provided you have an Amazon Prime membership. Considering the upcoming holiday season, getting one might be beneficial since it allows for swift delivery of presents – which is always a plus!
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2024-12-11 02:37