WHEN THE LIST of films that got nominated for Best Picture in the 96th Academy Awards was announced, I wasn't surprised that the likes of Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Killers of the Flower Moon were selected given the impact of these films.
Then there were films that I've never even heard of and I wanted to know more as to why they got nominated. Among them was Alexander Payne's The Holdovers.
The Holdovers isn't as philosophically thought provoking as the other Best Picture nominees, yet its simple and down-to-earth approach is what makes it stand out.
Add its sense of humor, the touch of the 1970s, and its colorful cast of characters and the film manages to leave an impression that would bring a smile to your face.
A perfect blend of comedy and drama
From the get-go, The Holdovers' comedic tone was already set, and it offered a variety of moments that would make viewers laugh.
From Angus Tully's (Dominic Sessa) 'catch me if you can' moment with Paul Giamatti's character, to the smooth talking moments during the Christmas party scene, from the beginning all the way to the end, the comedic timing has been spot on.
A key reason why it stands out stems from how it was used to flesh out the character's backstories, especially that of Paul Hunham (played by Paul Giamatti).
We learned a lot about Paul Hunham, who loves to nerd about things in life, which even led to some awkward conversations, plus we also got a glimpse of his perspectives regarding sex.
Overall, the film's comedy wasn't forced and it was properly written, making it an enjoyable treat to the viewers.
While the comedy has been a key feature of the film, it's heartwarming moments have also stood out, and this was further emphasized with the relationship between Hunham and Tully.
The end result saw how an unlikely band of characters evolved and ended up becoming more than just schoolmates and co-workers, but an actual family.
Superb acting
Besides the overall tone of the film, there's no denying that the acting has been spot on. Both Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph were nominated in the Academy Awards for their performances and it was no surprise as to why.
For Giamatti to capture the typical nerd professor stereotype, despite the struggles he had with the contact lenses for the lazy eye, speaks a lot about his craft.
He was entertaining to watch, especially at the end when he had a confrontation with the school's head, amplifying the film's dramatic moments. From the start all the way to the end, we laughed at him, but most importantly we also developed a level of sympathy for his character, which ultimately made him likeable despite his flaws.
The same can be said with Randolph's portrayal of Mary Lamb, who constantly made us chuckle due to her tirades, and her role as a foil to Hunham would add more flavor to the character dynamics.
In addition, even though Dominic Sessa wasn't nominated for his performance, he likewise deserves to be creditted for the way he portrayed a troubled student, who slowly appreciated the company he is surrounded with.
His chemistry with Giamatti has also been a major highlight as the bond between teacher and student would reach a different level as the film reaches the finale.
In the end their performances, alongside Payne's direction produced an emotional masterpiece that truly deserves its spot in the Academy Awards.
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