The film HOLDOVERS starring Paul Giacometti as the cantankerous teacher, Paul Dunham, at an elite, eastern boys school tolerates no tomfoolery from the hooligans in his charge. Over Christmas break, supervision at this pristine, scenic winter-land, Paul (Paul Giamatti) is assigned (for punitive purposes) to supervise the few students left behind. The Dean, tells Paul, "It's not as if you had anywhere to go, anyways." Before the majority of students depart with their families, the Priest wishes all "a Merry Christmas, or for those, for whom the case may be, a Happy Hanukkah" which is met with a spattering of laughter from the assembly. Despite several Black and Asian students, the notion the academy embraces those of the Jewish faith remains far fetched. THE HOLDOVERS is an exceptionally entertaining drama that exams the entitlements endowed wealthy, white students situated atop our social hierarchy. Set in the early 70s, director, Alexander Payne ("The Descendants") gets the fashion and hairstyles pitch perfect. Nestled within the cozy comforts allotted students are ample opportunities for placements in Ivy League Universities and fortune to circumvent the draft. The movie's opening frame is of a memoriam in the school's halls for its fallen alum who served in WWI and WII. Notably, there's only one former student killed in Viet Nam, Pvt. Lamb. Lamb had been admitted gratis to the school because his mother, Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) managed the school's kitchen. Mary couldn't afford college tuition for her son and he was drafted after his graduation. Mary offers a perfect blend of sorrow, wisdom and heart. She's the linchpin for bridging a connection between Paul and Angus (Dominic Sessa in a star making debut). Angus becomes the sole student left behind after one of the boy's dad swoops in on a chopper taking the others boys on a ski vacation. Angus received a last minute call from his mother saying she wouldn't be getting him as planned and couldn't be reached later for permission to leave campus. Paul's relentless penchant for reviling both students and faculty is daunting. There's no love lost between the Paul and Angus forced to cohabitate over the two week hiatus. Angus' angst and antics are those of an awkward, unpopular teen from a dysfunctional family. Over the grueling drudgery of enforced homework with little holiday cheer, truths are slowly revealed, resentments thawed and trust earned. The three left behind, Paul, Mary and Angus learned they're not as alone as they feared. Veracity in general is called into question and receives a failing grade. "Entres nous" I assign this sensitive, stirring film to the honor roll along with its three leads. "When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love..." (M Aurelius)
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