It would be reductive to say that The Holdovers works because Alexander Payne once again cast Paul Giamatti, the perfect vessel of his writing in Sideways.
Tag: Alexander Payne
Downsizing (2017)
The narrative structure of Downsizing is baffling.
Nebraska (2013)
If you can get past the boredom, Nebraska will sneak up on you.
The Descendants (2011)
In the seven years between Sideways and The Descendants, Alexander Payne hit the directorial equivalent of writers block.
Sideways (2004)
Sideways offers a middle ground between Election and About Schmidt
About Schmidt (2002)
Alexander Payne’s previous films, Election and Citizen Ruth, are biting satires that ruthlessly mocked their problematic characters.
Election (1999)
Election often appears on lists of the greatest teen movies ever made, but I wonder whether Alexander Payne’s 1999 film can even be called a teen film.
Citizen Ruth (1996)
“Abortion satire” is pretty much the opposite of my ideal pitch for a film.
The Passion of Martin (1991)
I find voyeuristic pleasure peeking back at student films and low-budget debuts of well-regarded directors