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re: The Holdovers (Alexander Payne, Paul Giamatti) -- UPDATE: On Peacock December 29
Posted on 1/4/24 at 12:58 am to paperwasp
Posted on 1/4/24 at 12:58 am to paperwasp
quote:
But I think the fact that it touched on several storytelling devices and tropes is also what makes it special. A coming-of-age school/jock comedy, the beginnings of a Christmas story, several instances of romantic chemistry, a father/son reunion — so many different stereotypical "redemption" concepts that arise, make you think that we're veering in one direction, and then ultimately go nowhere. Pretty much all of the arcs that we see are, in a sense, tragic. And in the end, much like moments of real life, we're left with a powerful character piece centered around the connection of broken individuals, bonded through shared experience and unexpectedly similar flaws.
I like to think that I’m able to appreciate movies that are more than car chases, explosions and shootouts….that I could appreciate “a powerful character piece centered around the connection of broken individuals….”
What I think separates this movie from Dead Peots Society is that it seemingly doesn’t try THAT hard. It didn’t strike me as a pretentious “character piece” but a movie with a story about three people who are stuck together at a boarding school over Christmas break, who all had some issues that they tried to work through in two weeks, and there you have it.
It was an enjoyable story to watch unfold. It kept my interest. The ending felt a little contrived and the cynic is me, while I appreciate that Paul Giamatti was willing to sacrifice his job for the good of the kid, realizes that the whole idea he is now “free to pursue his dreams” is a lie - he’s got no degree and no job!
I will say that the recurring idea regarding PG not being willing to give the senators/donors son a fake grade, the fact that he was wrongfully accused in a plagiarism scandal, and then his eventual decision to lie when he felt it was valid was thought provoking…whether intentional or not.
2
Posted on 1/4/24 at 4:18 am to Keep Stirring
I have 0 regrets purchasing this movie. It'll end up being a seasonal rewatch for me. Great acting. Good story telling. Hit a lot of themes from a real perspective- class, divorce, grief, etc.
Posted on 1/4/24 at 5:31 am to DiamondDog
I’m getting a feeling that Oppenheimer and KOTFM may split enough votes for it to sneak in as Best Picture.
Certainly a nominee alongside those two …. Along with Barbie, Past Lives, The Zone of Interest, American Fiction, Air, Poor Things and Maestro (IMO)
Certainly a nominee alongside those two …. Along with Barbie, Past Lives, The Zone of Interest, American Fiction, Air, Poor Things and Maestro (IMO)
Posted on 1/4/24 at 8:07 am to lsusa
quote:
it seemingly doesn’t try THAT hard
quote:
didn’t strike me as a pretentious “character piece”
Yeah, I agree, and re-reading my comments, I'll clarify that I really enjoyed the movie and probably was a bit ambiguous in trying to pinpoint why.
Didn't think it was pretentious at all — perhaps more apathetic, which goes back to your point about not trying too hard.
Great movie, and probably one of my favorites from the past year.
Posted on 1/4/24 at 8:06 pm to JW
quote:
I’m getting a feeling that Oppenheimer and KOTFM may split enough votes for it to sneak in as Best Picture.
I didn't like Oppenheimer and I know I'm probably a minority.
Posted on 1/5/24 at 12:33 am to DiamondDog
Just finished it… and loved it.
It had one of those great optimistic but melancholy endings like Good Will Hunting, Lost in Translation, or Dan in Real Life that you can’t put into words.
My wife walked out after 30 minutes and said this is awful but it was right up my alley. Absolutely loved it.
It had one of those great optimistic but melancholy endings like Good Will Hunting, Lost in Translation, or Dan in Real Life that you can’t put into words.
My wife walked out after 30 minutes and said this is awful but it was right up my alley. Absolutely loved it.
Posted on 1/5/24 at 7:25 am to 3nOut
quote:
My wife walked out after 30 minutes and said this is awful but it was right up my alley. Absolutely loved it.
Yeah, my wife didn’t love it nearly as much as I did. She said it was “fine”
Posted on 1/5/24 at 10:55 am to Kinderman
quote:
eah, my wife didn’t love it nearly as much as I did. She said it was “fine”
Just cant compete with vanderpump and housewives.
I thought to movie was excellent. Ive watched it twice already.
Posted on 1/5/24 at 11:39 am to dgnx6
Watched it last night, and loved it. Giamatti is so damn good.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:00 am to Kinderman
I finally watched it, this movie is outstanding.
Everyone in it is good, not a weak performance to be had.
Loved how everything looked straight out of the 70's, even the actual film.
A must watch.
Everyone in it is good, not a weak performance to be had.
Loved how everything looked straight out of the 70's, even the actual film.
A must watch.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:11 am to lsusa
quote:
What I think separates this movie from Dead Peots Society is that it seemingly doesn’t try THAT hard. It didn’t strike me as a pretentious “character piece” but a movie with a story about three people who are stuck
It felt like it was three real people stuck.
It didn't feel like anyone was really acting.
The new kid actor was really good for his first movie.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 9:24 am to Kinderman
We watched it last night.
I liked it, but didn't love it. It's got a Sideways feel to it, but adds in some basic modern tropes:
- rich people are all evil, selfish, and heartless
- Chekov's Gun with the Remi Martin. As soon as they showed the bottle I paused the film and asked my wife if she knew what Chekov's Gun was. She didn't. I called it and in the final montage it pops up.
- magical negro (extra points for it being an obese woman)
- kids being just as wise as the adults, or even wiser
- of course in the end montage the black lady is running the kitchen full of white women and correcting one of them, in 1971! YEah.
Giamatti is always great and this film is no exception. The "kid" looks about 23 years old and has little to know changes in facial expressions. But the worst of all is the fat black cook. She's just terrible.
There's really no progression for the main characters. Not much anyway. The kid learns a little, but nothing truly transformative is shown. Giamatti is fired and forced to step out of his bubble.
Not a terrible film, but I guess compared to the other shite Hollywood is spewing out nowadays, it's worth the watch.
I liked it, but didn't love it. It's got a Sideways feel to it, but adds in some basic modern tropes:
- rich people are all evil, selfish, and heartless
- Chekov's Gun with the Remi Martin. As soon as they showed the bottle I paused the film and asked my wife if she knew what Chekov's Gun was. She didn't. I called it and in the final montage it pops up.
- magical negro (extra points for it being an obese woman)
- kids being just as wise as the adults, or even wiser
- of course in the end montage the black lady is running the kitchen full of white women and correcting one of them, in 1971! YEah.
Giamatti is always great and this film is no exception. The "kid" looks about 23 years old and has little to know changes in facial expressions. But the worst of all is the fat black cook. She's just terrible.
There's really no progression for the main characters. Not much anyway. The kid learns a little, but nothing truly transformative is shown. Giamatti is fired and forced to step out of his bubble.
Not a terrible film, but I guess compared to the other shite Hollywood is spewing out nowadays, it's worth the watch.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:02 am to TygerTyger
quote:
But the worst of all is the fat black cook. She's just terrible.
i hate diversity casting for diversity's sake, but she did a great job and i am confused by singling her out. she won numerous awards. while the academy, GG, SAG, etc. does like their DEI, it's not like they're giving the awards to just any black person for being cast.
if anything, her being a black woman in the NE, having her son attend as a scholarship student, become a beloved member and alumnus of the school, and then die in the war, made her role more tragic.
i definitely get not liking/loving the movie but this is a weird flex.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:04 am to TygerTyger
Hating on Randolph for no reason is an absurd take. I don’t think they even mention her race or anything with racial politics. She’s just a character that happens to be black.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:05 am to 3nOut
Not a flex at all. I just thought her acting was terrible. She and a flat affect and tone and just came across as wooden.
I'm not painting with a broad brush here, I loved Hidden Figures and thought those ladies were fantastic. I just don't see this woman's performance as talented.
I'm not painting with a broad brush here, I loved Hidden Figures and thought those ladies were fantastic. I just don't see this woman's performance as talented.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:08 am to TygerTyger
quote:
But the worst of all is the fat black cook. She's just terrible.
What a shite take. She just won 9 major acting awards, including the Oscar, for this role.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:18 am to Esquire
quote:
What a shite take. She just won 9 major acting awards, including the Oscar, for this role.
Other than a nude Halle Berry, I can't see anyone else in that role.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:23 am to TygerTyger
quote:
I just don't see this woman's performance as talented.
much like Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea or Anne Hatheway in Les Mis, the ability to act out controlled but uncontrollable grief will always get you points for the critics.
i don't think your opinion is invalid, i just don't get it.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:42 am to TygerTyger
quote:
Not a flex at all. I just thought her acting was terrible. She and a flat affect and tone and just came across as wooden.
I didn't get that. At all.
I lost my younger brother when he was 24. Seeing the grief that my Mom experienced over losing a son, she absolutely nailed that character. It wasn't a wooden performance at all.
Posted on 3/18/24 at 10:43 am to 3nOut
I watched this on the plane yesterday and really liked it but I kind of agree with the poster on the actress that played the black cook. Her acting was fine but she felt miscast. It just felt like she should have been older. Her face just looked too young for me in her role. Small nitpick though
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