Christmas, 1970. Paul, a fastidious and curmudgeonly teacher at a New England boarding school, has the least desirable job on campus: looking after five students who are unable to return home over the festive break. Aided only by cafeteria manager Mary, Paul vows to run a tight shift. That puts him on a collision course with Angus, a reluctant ‘hold over’ student who’d rather be anywhere else over the holidays.

Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is a delightful attempt at crafting a 1970s style comedy-drama for the 2020s. With three superb and widely-acclaimed turns from Giamatti, Randolph and newcomer Sessa, this is a charming, funny and bittersweet film proving that, occasionally, Hollywood really can make ‘em like they used to.

Directed by Alexander Payne | 133 mins | Cert 15A | English language

“★★★★ The sympathy, richness and gentleness of this picture are… a marvel: a grownup drama for grownup people” – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“Curmudgeonly and charming, unsentimental and deeply felt, antically funny and deceptively humane” – Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

Presented in association with Access Cinema and Europa Cinemas