We’re less than a month into 2024, and the year is already off to a great start for cinematic releases. Last week I waxed lyrically about Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s new comedy Poor Things. This week I am pleased to discuss the festive comedy-drama The Holdovers.
The Holdovers sees director Alexander Payne reunite with the wonderful Paul Giamatti. The pair previously worked together on 2004’s Oscar-nominated comedy-drama Sideways. That movie received multiple nominations including in the Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress categories. The Holdovers received its European premiere at the 2023 BFI London Film Festival. It has also received a tremendous amount of critical acclaim, having won three Golden Globes recently, as well as earning five Academy Award nominations.
Despite being a Christmas movie, The Holdovers was released in the UK and Ireland on January 19, 2024. This baffling marketing decision by distributor Focus Features feels like a cynical move to capitalize on its status as an awards season favourite. Despite the bizarre timing of the film’s release, it is nonetheless a brilliant piece of cinema that deserves all the hype and praise it has received.
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