THE HOLDOVERS (2023) **** Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Preston. Filmmaker Alexander Payne and Giamatti reunite in this funny and surprisingly poignant Christmas holiday themed dramedy about a curmudgeonly history professor at a prep school circa 1970, who is tasked in taking care of a student (newcomer Sessa) who is suddenly without family for the duration on campus resulting in a mix of troubles and revelations in the process. Fine support by Randolph as the school's chief of the kitchen who is grieving the recent loss of her only son to Vietnam and a vintage jukebox of period tunes keep things grounded in its core realities. Giamatti and Sessa give good thrust and parry with the former at the top of his game and the latter a talent to watch for years to come. One of the year's best films.