The Holdovers
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Anonymous
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Can’t see a thread on this but if there is - excuse me.
We loved this movie: My DH and I already agreed to make this one of our annual holiday movies from now on. It is charming, sad, funny, retro (1970ish) set in New England boarding school. The teaching style would likely not be allowed at elite schools today but there were definitely teachers of this ilk in earlier generations. Not really sure why it is rated R rather than M as no gratuitous violence or sex but whatever, i don’t know what criteria they use. The main characters drew us in to their life stories that unfolded slowly. Hope others enjoy … |
Anonymous
I could not understand the contempt for the head master though - won’t say much more so as not to spoil for others … |
Anonymous
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I really enjoyed it too.
Agree with pp that Paul Giamati's character seemed over the top harsh on the head master. |
Anonymous
| I loved it too |
Anonymous
OP - yeah that was the only piece that did not make sense - all the other plot developments were like peeling off layers off an onion to get to the pearly inside … PG is such a brilliant actor and somehow made us root for his character’s despite his looks, personality, and often, his lines … |
Anonymous
And smelling like fish! He hated the headmaster for a few reasons, I think: - The headmaster had been his student, and not a very good one - He thought the headmaster was too concerned with money and power, and not enough with integrity and knowledge - He resents all the rich, socially smooth people (who don't smell like fish) who he thinks always get whatever they want while he has to struggle for everything |
Anonymous
Ok that makes sense - thank you! I thought the head master gave him a second chance when others would not though? … Forgot about that unusual Medical condition that caused him to smell like fish. Poor guy! I’d be tempted to turn to cheap whiskey or whatever with his bad luck as well. The movie director had such a great eye for retro detail - felt like I was in New England in the 70s! The main young actor was top notch also. Guess we will Be seeing more of him … |
Anonymous
| Loved all the actors. Loved the style and setting and cinematography. I’m from that world and it felt so real and familiar. I thought it ran a tad bit long but that’s my only criticism. |
Anonymous
| Would teen boys like this movie? |
Anonymous
Probably. |
Anonymous
You're right - he did give him a second chance! But then PG felt stuck. He was liberated at the end for getting fired |
Anonymous
They may like the ads we were subjected to prior to the movie - shorts for R rated horror and violent movies which are not our cup of tea and not sure why they were chosen / but teens boys tend to love scary and violent movies … The movie itself was fine for teens - bit of salty language but mild compared to a lot of shows these days … in fact there were parents with young teens at the showing we saw - as well as adults of all ages … |
Anonymous
| Loved this movie! |
Anonymous
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Was a great movie!
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Anonymous
I understood it as the headmaster who originally hired PG's character was the one he respected and who gave him a chance. However, he passed away, and then the younger guy who had been a former student took over, and for all the previously stated reasons that is why PG's character did not like the current headmaster. |