Focus Features has released the official trailer for Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” starring Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph & Dominic Sessa. The film will be released in select NY & LA theaters on October 27th, then limited release on November 3rd, followed by a nationwide expansion on November 10th.
Plot Synopsis: From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
What do you all think of the trailer? I absolutely adore the 90s tone of this trailer. It’s much more comedic than I anticipated, but it also did a fantastic job of showcasing the talents of the three main actors. Given Payne’s previous work, the trailer is likely hiding some more dramatic material (his films always attempt to strike a balance between comedy and drama). Paul Giamatti looks wonderful here, and it’s great to see him working with Payne again since their memorable collaboration on “Sideways,” which remains a personal favorite of mine. Could this be the film to bring Giamatti an Oscar win finally? Supporting performances from Da’Vine Joy Randolph and newcomer Dominic Sessa also look terrific. Overall, this trailer delighted me with its presentation, even if the movie itself seems a bit bland. Here’s hoping the material and performances elevate it, as is usually the case with Payne’s filmography. “The Holdovers” is expected to have its world premiere at either Venice or Telluride and then make its way possibly to TIFF and NYFF shortly after that. What did you all think, though? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or our Twitter account.
