We're all suckers for inspirational movies about teachers.
We're all suckers for inspirational movies about teachers, whether it's Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society," Jack Black in "School of Rock," or name your favorite "Mr. Chips" knockoff. I'm pleased to report that "The Holdovers," now in theaters, is not one of those movies.
Why? Because Paul Hunham, the harried educator acted to absolute perfection by Paul Giamatti, is damn near impossible to like. At Barton Academy, tucked away in Massachusetts, Mr. Hunham looks like he'd rather murder his students than mentor them for college. "Vulgar little Philistines" is one of the kinder terms Mr. Hunham uses to describe his pupils, almost all of whom have been given D or F grades on their midterm exams on ancient civilizations. Mr. Hunham can insult his charges in Latin, but instead sends the boys off for the winter break with arduous homework assignments and barely concealed contempt.The kids hate him, teasing his sneak boozing, his wall-eyed stare and the skin condition that makes him smell like rotting fish.
His talent shines on its highest beams as Mr. Hunham is saddled with babysitting troublemaker Angus Tully . The headmaster is punishing the unpopular teacher for flunking out a legacy student whose rich senator daddy contributes mightily to the school coffers.
And so this trio of emotionally damaged outcasts break out of their bubble for a Christmas party and a strictly-against-the-rules car trip to Boston, where holiday cheer collides with personal trauma. It's just when you think you hear the clichés clicking into place that Payne pulls the rug out from under you for a poignant climax you won't see coming.
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