The Holdovers Parents Guide

The Holdovers Parents Guide is a 2023  period comedy-drama directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson. Starring Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa, the film is set in 1970 and follows a grumpy history teacher at a New England prep school who must supervise a group of students during Christmas break.

Premiering at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, “The Holdovers” had a limited U.S. theatrical release on October 27, 2023, followed by a wide release on November 10, 2023, courtesy of Focus Features.

The Holdovers Movie Details

The Plot:

The film plot follows a curmudgeon history teacher at a New England prep school who is forced to chaperone the handful of students with nowhere to go over Christmas break. The Holdovers premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. It was released for a limited theatrical release in the United States on October 27, 2023, followed by a wide release on November 10, 2023, by Focus Features.”

The Holdovers,” a 2023 American period comedy-drama film directed by the acclaimed Alexander Payne and penned by David Hemingson, takes audiences on a nostalgic journey to 1970. This compelling story centers on a grizzled history teacher portrayed by the talented Paul Giamatti, whose life takes an unexpected turn over the Christmas break.

Set against the backdrop of a New England prep school, the film’s narrative unfolds as this curmudgeon of a teacher finds himself reluctantly tasked with chaperoning a group of students who have nowhere else to go during the holiday season. The clash between his no-nonsense demeanor and the youthful exuberance of the students creates a delightful juxtaposition, setting the stage for both comedic and heartwarming moments.

The Holdovers Parents Guide

Why is The Holdovers rated R?

The Holdovers is rated R by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) due to its content, which includes language, some drug use, and brief sexual material. This rating is intended to inform viewers about the film’s content and suitability for different age groups.

Sex & Nudity:

• Minimal sexual content.
• Brief scenes with implied sexual material.
• No nudity or explicit sexual acts.

Violence & Gore:

• Limited violence.
• Some confrontational scenes and verbal arguments.
• No graphic or gory violence.

Profanity:

• Moderate use of profanity.
• Includes common profanities and occasional strong language.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking:

• Occasional use of drugs.
• Some characters are shown smoking.
• Drinking is depicted in social settings.

Frightening & Intense Scenes:

• Mildly intense moments.
• Some emotional and tense scenes.
• No extreme or frightening sequences.

Cast

• Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham
• Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb
• Carrie Preston as Miss Lydia Crane
• Gillian Vigman as Judy Clotfelter
• Tate Donovan as Stanley Clotfelter

Plot Summary:

1. The film is set in 1970 and centers on a grumpy history teacher at a New England prep school.
2. He is forced to chaperone a group of students who have nowhere to go over the Christmas break.
3. The clash between the teacher’s stern demeanor and the students’ youthful enthusiasm leads to both comedic and heartwarming moments.

Premiere and Release:

1. “The Holdovers” premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023.
2. It had a limited U.S. theatrical release on October 27, 2023, followed by a wide release on November 10, 2023, distributed by Focus Features.

Rating Explanation:

1. The R rating is due to the film’s content, which includes language, some drug use, and brief sexual material. It’s intended to guide viewers on the film’s suitability for different age groups.

Parental Guide:

1. Sex & Nudity: Minimal sexual content, brief scenes with implied sexual material, no nudity or explicit sexual acts.
2. Violence & Gore: Limited violence, some confrontational scenes and verbal arguments, no graphic or gory violence.
3. Profanity: Moderate use of profanity, including common profanities and occasional strong language.
4. Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: Occasional use of drugs, some characters shown smoking, and drinking depicted in social settings.
5. Frightening & Intense Scenes: Mildly intense moments, some emotional and tense scenes, no extreme or frightening sequences.