The Holdovers, Found Family and a new Christmas Classic
Alexander Payne’s 2023 film, The Holdovers has become a Christmas staple in my household.
The film follows three characters who form an unlikely bond over Christmas break. A grumpy teacher tasked with babysitting students held over on campus, a bright and troubled student left at school for holidays and the school’s head cook, grieving the loss of her son in the Vietnam War.
With a warm 1970s soundtrack in the background and the New England snow, this film provides a cozy, atmospheric experience. Narrated with a blend of humour and heart, featuring standout acting performances, this hopeful film centres on found family. Cementing itself as a Christmas classic.
The character’s relationships truly makes this movie memorable. The simplicity of three people who couldn’t be any more different, dealing with their own emotional hardships, coming together to create their own unconventional Christmas cheer is what sells this film. This is the heart of the film; how these interactions influence each character’s lives in this short time.
Every minute of this film feels familiar and realistic. It reconciles with the sadness we may feel at Christmas, contrary to popular ‘Christmas Cheer’ media. For me, this film serves as a comforting reminder that all we truly need is each other. Especially now, living in a individual-focused society. This film wholly understands the need for each other, to understand each other, empathise and create joy wherever, however we can.
Words by Qadirah Stephens
Ever since I was young, I have always maintained that Christmas isn’t Christmas until I have watched David Mackay’s 2012 film ‘Naughty or Nice’.
Every year, I find myself rewatching this light-hearted love story. It follows a down on her luck advertising executive with a strong hatred for Christmas, mockingly being named Krissy Kringle. Ironically, she happens to live on the Christmas crazy estate named Candy Cane Lane, renamed by the residents to reflect their love of the season.
At the start of the film, I always feel bad for Krissy. She is let go from her job, and it appears that her boyfriend is no longer interested in her. All before she is eventually hired to work as her worst nightmare, an Elf at her local mall. Sounds like the perfect start to anyone’s Christmas season, right?
Amid this, Krissy receives in the mail a book called ‘Naughty or Nice’. Upon opening it, Krissy discovers she can track the naughty or nice behaviours of people around her. As a result, ends up discovering things she’d rather not know, especially regarding her boyfriend.
Eventually, Krissy learns she has been viewing the book from its negative side. Turning it around reveals the ‘Nice’ side, where she is able to see all the good around her, and able to forgive her boyfriend.
I am reminded of its key message every time I watch this film: There are two sides to every story.
Words by Erin O’brien
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, is not only a live action reimagining of a classic and cosy Christmas story, but an exploration of how camp and characterised Christmas is as a season to all.
Not only does Jim Carrey provide an exhilarating and rather comical performance as the Grinch, giving audiences a career highlight in his body of work, but also a more in depth and humanistic portrayal of why he hates Christmas so much. He somehow emotes through the layers of prosthetic makeup the grief and sheer loneliness the Grinch feels. And how that blossoms into anger and rage, in turn attempting to ruin Christmas for all Who’s.
The Who’s themselves are the characteristic embodiment of oversaturated Christmas consumers but portrayed in a wholesome and rather heartwarming way. From their Houses holiday styling, to their costuming and their now height soaring and intricate stylings. The Who’s give viewers the idyllic portrayal of Christmas crafted to perfection.
However, the heart of this film does not lie in the Whoville Christmas traditions, but rather the inclusion and acceptance of the Grinch into Whoville society. It is also a lovely allegory for minority acceptance. Whether that’s from a queer lens, or a cultural lens from coloured minorities. His opposition from birth to most was through his colour.
Overall, The Grinch is a heartwarming portrayal of how the spirit of Christmas is not materialistic but emotionally charged by loved ones.
Words by Ben Scott
Featured image by Brian McGowan on Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.
