La Vie Not Rose

The experience of watching these types of films on a big screen is becoming exceptional because stories that are not necessarily spectacular in visual terms are passed directly to streaming. And it’s wrong; this movie, launched just at the beginning of 2024, shows why a good comedy/drama (perfect balance of it) can compensate for the effort of spending on a movie ticket.

Regardless of the fantastic character Paul Giamatti brings to life, the film is worth it not only because of the development of his character but also because, cliché as it might be, it is a lovable and endearing story about a rebel pupil and his teacher.

As the movie begins, and they set the dynamic of this all-boy boarding school where the students want to leave the strictness and boredom «natural» of their social class, I had the feeling I might be about to watch a new and funnier version of The Breakfast Club, where each of them would take the role of a particular emotion and personality issues innate from their age and time would be displayed.

But no, this film is undoubtedly much more moving, amusing and memorable. Alexander Payne finds the perfect way of showing us how somebody can create a forever-lasting bond in just a couple of days, even when the situation is set to become a disaster, because it’s not only set in the coldest winter, in the most remote town in the U.S. but with characters going through deep grief, depression and teenage angst, which, as time passes, we understand all of it, is entirely justified.

Dominic Sessa is a debutant actor playing «Angus», a firstly unbearable 16-year-old boy whose beach vacations are ruined at the last minute. From the beginning, we get some clues as to why he is not a stereotypical ignorant teen boy, and this character’s evolution is well-written. You expect a brat, but he is not and is a surprise for movies where «of course,» as a rich kid, he will be unbearable. Thanks to the circumstances, and mainly because of his magnificent strict teacher, he is not, and we get reassured that he will not be in the future. The way we found it, through collaboration built through various memorable vignettes, is touching.

One of my favourite movies, Election, is also directed by Payne. As in The Holdovers, it depicts the relationship between pupil-teacher in a very particular but very relatable way. The unconsciousness of the weight of these bonds and their impact on our lives is one of the main lessons of these two movies (with Election doing it from strong doses of sarcasm).

You suddenly realise who has touched your life with such an impact, and it’s not your family; your teachers have a definitive role in setting your mind and thoughts, having a unique super force of lifting or bringing you down. The Holdovers is a story in which Paul Giamatti’s character shows how surprising – in a good way – life can be if the right people cross on your path, particularly, at school where everything seems to be pointing to boredom during our adolescence.

This now Oscar-nominated film has so many little adventures between its main three leads and moments that are genuinely memorable, making you think about your formative years (I found out that mine were challenging but super enriching), and it is the kind of film not only made for a movie fan but a delightful experience for those who enjoy having a good time regardless of your favourite type of entertainment. It’s a perfect Christmas movie, it really is.

Its magic and originality also radicate in its simplicity, which we’re in such a drought nowadays, with a pretentious and uber-elaborate sequel of sequels. Please, more «normal» stories, PLEAAAAASE.