Hello and welcome to Mindful Fellas, the website where we review films from a meditative perspective. Today, we are going to talk about The Holdouts, a 2023 comedy-drama film that tells the story of three lonely people who find friendship and happiness during a Christmas break at a boarding school.
Before we begin, let’s take a moment to relax and breathe deeply. This might be necessary since one fella was stuck in the Telekom hotline for hours. Find a comfortable position and close your eyes. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Feel the air filling your lungs and leaving your body. Let go of any tension or stress that you may have. Focus on the present moment and the sound of my voice.
Now, let’s talk about the film. The Holdouts is a film that explores the themes of loneliness, loss, and love in the backdrop of the turbulent 1970s. It shows how three unlikely companions, a grumpy teacher, a rebellious student, and a grieving cafeteria worker, overcome their personal challenges and find solace and joy in each other’s company. The film is a mix of comedy and drama, with moments of laughter and tears.
The film’s strength lies in its portrayal of the main character, Paul Hunham, a classics teacher who undergoes a remarkable transformation. He starts as a bitter and unhappy man, who is disliked by his students and colleagues, and who has given up on his dreams of becoming a writer. He is forced to spend the holidays with a handful of students who have nowhere else to go, and who he treats with disdain and indifference. However, as the film progresses, he gradually opens up to one of the students, Angus Tully, a smart and rebellious boy who challenges him and inspires him. He also develops a romantic relationship with Mary Lamb, a cafeteria worker who has lost her son in the Vietnam War, and who shares his pain and loneliness. Through these connections, he learns to appreciate life, to express his emotions, and to rediscover his passion for writing. He becomes a kinder, happier, and more fulfilled person, who is ready to start a new family with Mary and Angus in the most metaphorical way possible.
The film also shows the Christmas spirit, as the three protagonists celebrate the holiday in their own way. They decorate the school with makeshift ornaments, exchange gifts, and sing carols. They also go on a trip to New York City, where they experience the magic and excitement of the city. They witness the beauty and wonder of the world, and they realize that they are not alone.
The film’s weakness, however, is that it tries to change too many characters, and as a result, some of them are not as developed or convincing as they could be. For example, Lydia Crane, the deputy headmistress, who is Hunham’s love interest at the beginning of the film, is a flat and stereotypical character, who is only there to create conflict and tension. She is quickly forgotten and replaced by Mary, who is a more complex and sympathetic character. Similarly, the other students who stay behind with Hunham and Angus are not given much attention or personality, and they serve as mere plot devices to move the story forward. They are also conveniently taken away by one of their parents, leaving Angus as the only student left with Hunham and Mary. The film also has a cringe-worthy subplot involving a love-fling between Angus and Elise, a young and attractive Niece, who is clearly out of his league. This subplot is unnecessary and unrealistic, and it only serves to create more drama.
The film is a decent and enjoyable watch, but it is not a masterpiece. It is a film that tries to be both a comedy and a drama, but it does not excel at either. It is a film that tries to change too many characters, but it does not give them enough depth or development. It is a film that tries to show the Christmas spirit, but it does not capture the true essence of the holiday.
As we end this review, let’s reflect on what we can learn from the film. The film teaches us that we are not defined by our past, our mistakes, or our circumstances. We can always change for the better, and we can always find happiness and meaning in life. The film also teaches us that we are not alone, and that we can always find support and love in others. The film reminds us that we are all human, and that we all have feelings and needs. The film encourages us to be kind, compassionate, and understanding towards ourselves and others.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the film and its message. Let’s also appreciate ourselves and our journey. Let’s be grateful for the people and the things that make us happy. Let’s be hopeful for the future and the possibilities that await us.
Now, let’s take a deep breath and slowly open our eyes. Sry we forgot to mention you should close then. Thank you for joining us today on Mindful Fellas. I hope you enjoyed this review and this meditation. If you did, please share, and subscribe to this channel. And don’t forget to leave a comment below and tell me what you think of the film. Until next time, stay mindful and stay positive. Namaste.
7/10