The Holdovers

Paul Hunham, perhaps the most hated teacher at a prestigious boarding school, is forced to spend Christmas at school and take care of one of his students who has no place to go. Alexander Payne's newest work thrusts this talented director to new heights. The plot is set in the 1970s, and the whole film pays tribute to this era, from set design to how the drama unfolds, with a combination of bristliness and candor. "An engaging and often touching comic drama that builds power as it moves toward its immensely satisfying conclusion" (Hollywood Reporter).