a payne feel-good

Sideways star Paul Giamatti wields wonderfully grouchy magic in The Holdovers

Some filmmakers have the good fortune of being able to make a movie every couple of years or so, and some have to wait years for their next project to come to fruition. Whether by choice or by circumstance, director Alexander Payne tends to go years before putting out a new film; his latest, The Holdovers, comes out almost a full six years after his previous film, 2017’s Downsizing.

Unlike that film, in which Payne tried to infuse his sensibilities on a high concept idea, The Holdovers finds him back in simple – but not simplistic – storytelling mode, and reunited with actor Paul Giamatti, who starred in his popular 2004 film Sideways.

Set in 1970 at a private New England boarding school called Barton Academy, The Holdovers centers on history teacher Paul Hunham (Giamatti), a curmudgeon whose life revolves around the school. Unfortunately for him, that makes him an easy target to be the chaperone for those kids who aren’t able to go home for the Christmas holidays (aka the holdovers).

This particular winter starts off with a handful of such students, but winnows down to just Angus Tully (newcomer Dominic Sessa), whose mother and her new husband have shunned him in favor of a romantic vacation. Hunham, Tully, and cafeteria worker Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) have no choice but to form a sort of odd family during the break, getting on each other’s nerves and bonding in equal measures.

Written by David Hemingson (making it only the second time Payne has not written a movie he’s directed), the film has an enormous number of small pleasures and heartbreaks. The satisfaction Paul gets in torturing his students through assignments and detentions is consistently funny. And because turnabout is fair play, the demands Angus puts on Paul, especially when their group goes down to three, are equally entertaining, forcing Paul into situations he rarely finds himself.

But Payne and Hemingson are just as interested in touching your heart as they are in making you laugh. As the film goes along, the personal lives of Paul, Angus, and Mary are peeled back bit by bit. The more you get to know each of them, the more you understand that each of them is a type of lonely soul whose life is enriched by them being together, especially during the holidays.

With an antagonistic relationship between a high school teacher and a student, as well as Giamatti playing a cranky person with one distinct passion, the film has echoes of two of Payne’s best films, Sideways and 1999’s Election. But it becomes its own thing thanks to its unique trio, the setting in the cloistered environment of a boarding school, and its slowly-evolving story that reveals a ton of heart.

Giamatti and Payne seem to share a certain sensibility that leads to a great performance. Giamatti knows exactly how irritable to make his character without being off-putting, but he also uses his face in ways few others can. Sessa is a great find, easily matching wits with Giamatti and holding the viewer’s gaze throughout. Randolph becomes the soul of the film, easing the tension between the two men and offering a hard-earned wisdom that elevates the story.

The Holdovers is so good that it’s infuriating that Payne hasn’t made more movies than the eight on his filmography. At 62, he’s once again found the voice that made him an indie hit in the early 21st century; here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another six years for him to share it again.

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The Holdovers opens in theaters on November 10.

Photo by Seacia Pavao / courtesy of Focus Features

Dominic Sessa and Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers.

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weekend event planner

These are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE

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This weekend is definitely going to be a Wicked one.

The long-awaited movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical will be playing in theaters all over the place, and there will be some Wicked-themed events popping off this weekend. But we shouldn’t forget about live music from Lisa Morales and Christopher Seymore & The Western Cosplay, film screenings of a Pedro Almodovar classic and an animated manga adaptation from Japan, a couple of shucking-related events, and, last but not least, TURTLE-RACING!

Read on for this weekend’s best bets.

Thursday, November 21

Houston Young Professionals for the American Cancer Society presents Shuck Cancer Houston
The Houston Young Professionals for the American Cancer Society will present the annual Shuck Cancer Houston. The evening will feature wine and oyster pairings and non-oyster cuisine from top local seafood eateries, live music, a silent auction, and more. The American Cancer Society will also recognize top achievements from the Shuck Cancer Pearl Honorees and community partners. 7 pm.

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Shucked
Speaking of shucking, if you’re a musical lover who’ll definitely see Wicked this weekend, you may also want to catch this show before it becomes a feature film. Shucked is a Tony-winning musical comedy featuring a book by Tony winner Robert Horn, a score by the Grammy-winning songwriting team of country stars Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien. The corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy an appetite for great musical theater. 7:30 pm (2 & 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 & 7 pm Sunday).

Little Woodrow’s Midtown presents Thursday Night Turtle Racing
This weekend, Little Woodrow’s Midtown closes out its turtle racing season. The Turtle Master orchestrates this unique spectacle, where ten, red-eared slider turtles with outsized personalities compete for glory in four sets of exciting races. Every guest at Little Woodrow’s Midtown has the opportunity to select a card with who they believe is the winning turtle. Anyone holding the winning turtle’s card receives a complimentary drink from the night’s sponsor. 8 pm.

Friday, November 22

Artechouse presents Holiday Spectacular
Artechouse presents the first-ever, immersive Houston Holiday Spectacular, an experience that brings the wonder of the season to life through art, technology, and interactive design. The event invites Houstonians to unwind and reconnect with the joy of the holidays through a captivating blend of digital art, sound, and interactivity. The limited-run exhibit reimagines popular holiday and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) themes through digital landscapes. Through Sunday, January 5. 10 am.

Ebubay presents "Future Forward Africa"
Over at Hooks-Epstein Galleries, Ebubay will present "Future Forward Africa," an evening where modern and contemporary African art will be for sale. The exclusive one-day event offers collectors and art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire investment-worthy pieces by some of Africa’s most renowned artists. The sale will feature works from celebrated African talents such as Sam Ebohon, George Edozie, and Duke Asidere. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre)
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Pedro Almodovar’s All About My Mother tells the story of Manuela (Cecilia Roth), who copes with a tragic loss that leads her back to a home she left. She meets Rosa (Penélope Cruz), a pregnant nun, and ends up working for Huma, the actress Manuela’s son admired while touring A Streetcar Named Desire — the show that led to the tragedy with which Manuela is reconciling. MFAH audio-visual technician Rob Arcos will introduce the film. 7 pm.

Lewis Black: Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour
Comedian Lewis Black presents his Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour. After over 35 years as a touring stand-up comedian, Black is parking his tour bus for good, marking the end of his world touring career. Black will write the next chapter of his career by going back to his roots and focusing on writing a new play, penning a new book, and expanding his podcast, RantCast, to include live recordings. But let’s hope he tells his famous bit about finding “the end of the universe” in Houston one last time. 8 pm.

Saturday, November 23

Comic Indie Con
Comic Indie Con is a celebration of independent media culture, exploring the world of indie comics, board games, arts and crafts, and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of comics and discover unique stories that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Throughout the day, there will be panel discussions featuring industry professionals, artists, and writers, who will share their insights and experiences. Visitors are encouraged to showcase their creativity by dressing up as their favorite indie comic book character. 10 am.

The Union Kitchen presents Wicked Brunch and Cocktails
All five of The Union Kitchen’s Houston-area locations will celebrate the release of Wicked with a two-day, Wicked-themed brunch. This spellbinding-themed brunch will thrill fans of the iconic musical finally coming to the big screen. Step into a world inspired by the Land of Oz, where guests will enjoy a delicious brunch amidst enchanting decor that echoes Glinda and Elphaba's magical friendship and rivalry. This brunch is perfect for fans ready to embrace their inner Good Witch — or Wicked side. 10 am.

Cactus Music presents Lisa Morales
Yes, Cactus Music will be getting into the Wicked spirit with a soundtrack listening party on Sunday. But the store will also welcome Lisa Morales to its live stage. Marrying different genres — Mexican and American, traditional and contemporary — has of course long been part of her wheelhouse, especially in Sisters Morales. But, as a solo artist, her vibrant melange of musical flavors and different languages is artful enough to distinguish Morales’ embrace of “Spanglish” not just as part of the mix, but as practically a genre unto itself. 1 pm.

Christopher Seymore and The Western Cosplay in concert
Christopher Seymore and his band, The Western Cosplay, will host a concert and record a live album at the Continental Club in Midtown. The show will be captured in a full documentary-style concert video as the band launches their album fundraiser. The evening will feature album pre-orders, exclusive merchandise, live shirt printing, and a custom bandana station. Johnny Falstaff & The Starlight Lounge will be the opening act. After the concert, there will be an afterparty at Two Headed Dog. 8 pm.

Sunday, November 24

Mutiny Wine Room presents Paella Sunday
Just in time for the holidays, head over to Mutiny Wine Room for a cozy culinary experience. Watch chef Eduardo Alcayaga cook his famous seasonal paella over a live fire on the patio while sharing his expert tips. Diners can enjoy wine and appetizers by the outdoor heaters before sitting down to savor the freshly prepared paella. A serving of paella will be $38, while a Spanish wine pairing will be $15 by the glass and $56 by the bottle. This event will also happen on Sunday, December 29. Seatings at 1, 4, and 6:30 pm.

Asia Society Texas Center presents Children of the Sea
Dive into mysterious waters with Children of the Sea, an anime film based on a critically acclaimed manga by Daisuke Igarashi. The latest feature from Japan's Studio 4°C and is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with a score by award-winning composer and longtime Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi. This film screening is presented as part of the Japan Foundation New York's nationwide tour. 2 pm.

MagicSpace Entertainment presents A Magical Cirque Christmas
Currently on a 35-city tour, the world-acclaimed entertainers of A Magical Cirque Christmas will showcase a winter wonderland journey, immersing the audience in the spirit of the season and dazzling with their talents. The cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists will pull off some jaw-dropping stunts, pushing the boundaries of imagination where gravity is defied and human potential knows no limits. 7:30 pm.

$ARTECHOUSE\u2019S Holiday Spectacular$

Photo courtesy of ARTECHOUSE

Artechouse presents Holiday Spectacular.

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