For me, at least, as it's going in my holiday rotation from here on out.
I saw it tonight, with a sold out audience at the Alamo Drafthouse, who seemed as into as I was. It's just so damn good, and funny, and heartwarming. Basically, think The Breakfast Club if Vice Principal Vernon were Ebenezer Scrooge. With a side of Good Will Hunting and a dash of Dead Poets Society.
It takes place over the two-week holiday break, from 1970 to 1971, and every last frame, from the opening titles/studio cards, feels like something that was actually shot in the early '70s; like some long lost gem from that era, featuring a cast of mostly unknowns (save for Giamatti), and a subtly great soundtrack too. It's from Alexander Payne, the writer/director of Election, Sideways, The Descendants, and Nebraska, told with his usual wit and humor, but with an added heart and soul I didn't know he was cable of.
It's rated R for language, so I wouldn't advise taking the kids, but it's definitely a movie the rest of the family will enjoy, and I can't recommend it enough. In fact, with a 96% Rotten Tomato score, it's the perfect movie to see over Thanksgiving with the family. It came out in limited release last weekend, but goes wide next weekend, on November 10, and I hope it plays all holiday season long...
The Holdovers
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14849194/
October 27, 2023 = Limited
November 10, 2023 = Wide
Theatrical Exclusive
