Winter Break

Original title: The Holdovers

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

196K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:31

Holiday Comedy Comedy Drama Holiday

A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England school remains on campus during Christmas break. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's cook,... Read allA curmudgeonly instructor at a New England school remains on campus during Christmas break. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War.A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England school remains on campus during Christmas break. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

196K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

641

209

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 137 wins & 212 nominations total

Videos16

Trailer 2:28

The Holdovers

Clip 2:04

Best Moments From the 2024 Oscars

Clip 3:59

Why Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Star Is Rising

Clip 4:28

The Rise of Paul Giamatti

Clip 1:42

Oscars 2024 Best Picture Nominees

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Sans filtre

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Many of the scenes were filmed at Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven, Massachusetts in February 2022 during the school's February break. At this time, the area received a snow storm to the delight of the film crew since many of the scenes took place during a snowstorm. They took full advantage of the weather and the snow you see in the film was from an actual snowstorm.

Goofs
When Paul and Angus go to the "packie" (liquor store) in Cambridge, the sign on the front shows open hours on Sunday. In 1970, Massachusetts still had "Blue Laws" that forbade liquor stores to open on Sunday.

Quotes
Paul Hunham: There's nothing new in human experience, Mr. Tully. Each generation thinks it invented debauchery or suffering or rebellion, but man's every impulse and appetite from the disgusting to the sublime is on display right here all around you. So, before you dismiss something as boring or irrelevant, remember, if you truly want to understand the present or yourself, you must begin in the past. You see, history is not simply the study of the past. It is an explanation of the present.

Crazy credits
The film opens with a 1970s-styled MPAA film rating card, followed by 1970s-styled versions of the Focus Features and Miramax logos, to fit the film's December 1970 setting.

Additionally, on home video & digital editions distributed by Universal, the 1963 Universal Pictures logo is seen as well.

Alternate versions
The UK release was cut, a cut was required to remove a misleading category symbol, in order to obtain a 15 classification. Cut made in accordance with BBFC policy. An uncut classification was not available.

Connections
Featured in Half in the Bag: Oppenheimer and The Hollywood Implosion (2023)

Soundtracks
Chatter Box
Written and Performed by Jack Trombey (as Peter Milray)
Courtesy of de Wolfe Music USA

User reviews638

Featured review

10/10

Deep Inside People's Hearts

Here is a film that feels and looks like something out of the early seventies. The Holdovers is a strong and warm-hearted piece that gives actors roles with powerful lines, without any reliance on flashy editing and being overwhelmed by special effects.

The story is simple three people get stuck for the Christmas holidays in a boarding school. It's cold, lonely, and boring for the parties involved. The adults drink to cope with whatever pressures they live with. The young man resorts to bad behavior and altercations with the teacher in charge.

Through the vacation period these people will get to interact and get to know each other, something that will prove to a challenge to say the least. As the story evolves, we get to understand what has made the people who they are. We get to feel their pain and frustration through the very insightful writing of the director.

It's a strong film with superb acting by the main leads. They have great chemistry together.

Most outstanding is Paul Giamatti who plays the tormented and defensive man with relish and speaks volumes with his eyes.

Hope the academy honors his performance as the best the year because no one else so far is coming close.