THE HOLDOVERS

Opposites Are Not So Opposite!

The year is 1970; the state is Massachusetts; the setting is mostly a boarding school. There are three main characters, and most of you will probably say as the characteristics of each become more and more evident: “Hey, I know someone like him/ her!” The movie does not trace a lifetime—not even a whole year—but it does let us see and share the moments of emotional turmoil and elation of a shorter time period that the audience must decide lasts, or maybe just makes differences in the future, for three lives!

At the Boarding School, there is a cafeteria manager (Mary), played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph—a student (Angus Tully), played by Dominic Sessa—a teacher (Mr. Hunham), played by Paul Giamatti. A more unlikely trio to interact would be hard to find!

Christmas break finds the three above thrown together at a boarding school in New England as teacher Hunman (not a popular instructor) is assigned to chaperone the students who have no home to “go home to” during Christmas break.

Besides the problems with which the “alone” students have to deal, the three adults all fight with unequal misfortunes, grievances, and personality quirks.

I will not tell you anything about how this unlikely group bonds, deals with distress, or grows in dignity and acceptance of life (or does not do any of these), but suffice it to say that Teacher Hunman has the final scene in the story as he drinks some stolen fine cognac and holds the notebook, given to him by Mary.

I will not tell you the story ends “happily-everafter,” but I also will not tell you it ends unhappily or without a real conclusion.

YOU MUST DECIDE FOR YOURSELVES! The actual film runs two hours and thirteen minutes and is rated “R” for language, drug use, and brief sexual material. I would call the “R” a “light”—not “heavy”—rating! And, my wife and I both found the movie enlightening, entertaining, and yet a little sad, too! Nearly all critical and general reviews put this film high on the “must see” list! Go see it on the big screen or rent it at home where you can pause it when necessary.