The holdovers

 

Set in December 1970, The Holdovers follows Paul Hunham, a strict classics teacher at Barton Academy, an all-boys boarding school. Known for his harsh grading and unyielding demeanor, Hunham is forced to supervise a group of students who remain on campus during the Christmas break as punishment for flunking a wealthy donor’s son. Among these students is Angus Tully, whose family has abandoned him for the holidays.

As Hunham enforces a regimen of study and exercise, tensions rise between him and Angus. Their relationship takes a turn when Angus injures himself while acting out against Hunham’s rules. This incident leads them to bond over shared experiences and personal struggles. They are joined by Mary Lamb, the school’s cafeteria manager, who is grieving her son Curtis, killed in Vietnam.

Throughout their time together, Hunham and Angus navigate their emotional wounds and form an unlikely family unit with Mary. The film explores themes of loss, connection, and redemption as they celebrate Christmas together despite their individual hardships. Ultimately, the story culminates in personal growth for each character as they confront their pasts and forge meaningful relationships.

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