Loved Paul Giamatti in Black Mirror? This Oscar Nominee From 2 Years Ago Is Your Next Watch
The actor did well in Netflix’s sci-fi hit, but he was even better in this outrageously underrated comedy drama.
Black Mirror ’s fans may not be overly happy about the show’s newest seventh season and its celebrity-packed cast; however, the recently released instalment is a perfect reminder that this heartwarming comedy starring Paul Giamatti exists.
The actor showed up in one of the episodes for Black Mirror’s season 7, and though his performance was nothing short of a master class, Giamatti proved himself an even more versatile actor when he starred in Alexander Payne’s five-time Oscar nominee.
The movie went on to win one award, but since then has remained forgotten.
The Holdovers Is a High-Rated Cozy Drama You Need to Watch Right Now
Released back in 2023, The Holdovers was probably the most overlooked contender of the 2024 awards season, even though the movie got itself a pretty solid amount of prestigious nominations.
Set in the 1970s, it stars Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, a classics teacher at Barton Academy who has a special attachment to ever since he himself studied there thanks to a scholarship.
Hunham is generally despised by both students and fellow teachers, mostly due to his stubborn character and way too strict grading system. However, when everyone is off for the school’s Christmas break, Paul suddenly finds himself obliged to look after a handful of students who had nowhere to go during holidays.
What Does the Audience Think of The Holdovers?
The movie’s premise itself might be enough for many to finally give the film a long-deserved watch with a plaid and hot tea on a rainy evening, but there’s even more — The Holdovers wasn’t a massive hit among critics and viewers for nothing.
- On Rotten Tomatoes, The Holdovers holds scores of 97% from critics and 92% from viewers.
- On IMDb, The Holdovers is rated of 7.9/10.
The Holdovers Is Arguably Paul Giamatti’s Finest Work to-Date
Even though it was Da'Vine Joy Randolph who won an Oscar for her supporting role in the movie and Giamatti was left with nothing else but a nomination, the actor received praise from critics calling him the very heart of the whole drama.
“Anchored by Giamatti’s compelling central performance ..., The Holdovers takes a meaningful dive into a complex world of emotional conflict”, Q Network Film Desk’s James Kendrick wrote.
“Giamatti’s performance is a pleasure to watch. He is the presiding presence in the movie, and David Hemingson’s erudite screenplay allows him free range to deliver long lines of invective”, A.S. Hamrah stated in a glowing review published by n+1.
