'Bittersweet' drama film with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes leaves viewers in tears

Critics are hailing a drama film directed by Alexander Payne. Billed as "bittersweet" but a "favourite", the 2023 American Christmas comedy drama, which was written by David Hemingson, has an impressive score of 97% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The Holdovers is set in 1970 and follows a bad-tempered instructor (Paul Giamatti) who forms a surprising bond with a brainy yet mischievious studen (newcomer Dominic Sessa) - alongside the school's head cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph).

The film's synopsis reads: "A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school remains on campus during Christmas break to babysit a handful of students with nowhere to go. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's head cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War."

Alongside Giamatti, Sessa and Randolph, the film stars Carrie Preston, Brady Hepner, Michael Provost and Gillian Vigman.

Rotten Tomatoes critics have awarded The Holdovers with a staggering, near-perfect 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Their consensus reads: "Beautifully bittersweet, The Holdovers marks a satisfying return to form for director Alexander Payne."

One critic said: "The format may be unsurprising but there is nothing unsurprising about just how good and enjoyable this is... this is the kind of bittersweet, character-dialogue driven piece they just don't do anymore.

"One of my favorite films in recent memory. Between the memorable script, performances, and overall look of the film - I loved every bittersweet moment of this film."

The audience are in agreement, awarding the film with a 92% rating. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus states: "Cute and touching if not laugh-out-loud hilarious, The Holdovers is a thought-provoking dramedy for viewers seeking a dialogue-driven movie with a throwback feel."

One audience reviewer said it was a "timeless classic".

An audience reviewer said: "What a great movie to watch! Watched it with family recently and it was such a feel good movie. Good comedy portions and amazing acting."

Another reviewer said: "Builds from a slow start to a masterpiece. Dosen't promise to be good but delivers on it anyways. Quirky and fun for how depressing the plot may seem. Fresh caught fish."

The Holdovers is available to stream on NOWTV.