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


Notice: Undefined variable: newid in D:\vertrigo\www\voice\see.php on line 32



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.



Source link

Posted: 2025-07-12 06:00:54

Furious Reform DOGE chief claims British taxpayers paid for migrant bowling trips | Politics | News
 



... Read More

More than 1,500 people evacuated in Crete as wildfires rage across Europe – live | Europe
 



... Read More

The powerful WW1 book BBC star says you ‘need to buy’ | Books | Entertainment
 



... Read More

Novak Djokovic makes bleak French Open statement after shock Madrid loss | Tennis | Sport
 



... Read More

British Army left 'playing catch up' as Putin's invasion highlights evolution of warfare | UK | News
 



... Read More

Aldi UK store opening times for May bank holiday confirmed
 



... Read More

US trade war fears drive UK consumer confidence down to record low; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live | Business
 



... Read More

All we know about PS Plus Extra June 2025 from date to predictions | Gaming | Entertainment
 



... Read More