A familial bond goes far beyond bloodline. In acclaimed director Alexander Payne’s 1970’s based film, The Holdovers, an unconventional trio builds a bond in time for the holiday season.
The film is set at a New England prep school where Paul Giamatti’s character, takes on the role as the teacher, Paul Hunham. Hunham is forced to watch student’s with nowhere else to go during Christmas break. One of those students is Angus Tully, played by Dominic Sessa. Tully’s mom decides she’d rather spend the holiday season celebrating her new marriage. The trio is complete with school cook, Mary Lamb, who recently lost her son in the Vietnam War. Lamb is portrayed by Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
I had the opportunity to speak with Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph to discuss their time working on the film. Dominic, a high school senior drama kid, made his on-camera debut as a lead in The Holdovers. Sessa shares that he originally auditioned for a background character. Casting directors, on the other hand, had something else in mind for him. Like a true high school senior his first call to share the good news was to his mom.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph has had an eventful couple of years in the industry, but explained that this character in particular, required a ton of studying. From the war that took place, to her Boston accent, learning how to properly hold and smoke a cigarette. Mary lamb was an intricate character.
While Paul Giamatti is a veteran in the industry, he praised Sessa’s debut performance. Saying he learned more from Dominic than Dominic learned from him. Taking note of his, “openness,” as well as how much Sessa, “fought for his character,” in comparison to Giamatti’s typical adaptable response.
Experience the The Holdovers in theaters now.
