It is the holiday season and the holiday films are rolling out!
Director Alexander Paynes’ “The Holdovers” tells the story of three unlikely people who are forced to spend winter break together. The film takes place in the 70s at a boarding school in New England. During the holiday break, most students return home. Due to the unfortunate fact that they don’t have a place to for the holidays
(l-r.) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully, Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s THE HOLDOVERS, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
Professor Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) has been voted the teacher who must stay back and chaperone those left behind. Of all the teachers Paul is everyone’s least favorite choice to spend this time with. He is the type of teacher who is stern, cold, and always by the book. We spoke with Giamatti about the role and if he’s encountered a teacher like the one he portrays.
“I went to a school like that. Yes, there was one very particular biology teacher I had who was almost exactly this guy,” said Giamatti.
During this time a few of the students that were left behind decided to leave after all. Leaving behind only Angus Tully, played by newcomer Dominic Sessa. Tully is a troubled kid who’s trying to cope with not having a place to go like his fellow classmates. Throughout the film Tully and Hunham are butting heads, the two personalities are just not a match. Or are they?
(l-r.) Director Alexander Payne and actors Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph on the set of their film THE HOLDOVERS, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
After some time, they both begin to let their guard down and can see that neither of them is actually a bad person. The two just have a tough exterior, and this is where their unlikely bond is created. Giamatti shared how he balanced the character’s personality. And how he was able to show a man who has a heart underneath his sternness.
“The guy lays it out, David Himingson the writer, so beautifully that I can sort of see where to pull back the mask a little bit, and put the mask back on,” said Giamatti.
“The Holdovers” is a warm dramatic satire with a beautiful story and is currently in theaters!
The post Paul Giamatti Talks His Role In Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers’ appeared first on EURweb.
