Paul Giamatti is incredible as Paul Hunham, a classics teacher at the Barton Academy boarding school. He's tasked with looking after students during the holidays who have nowhere else to go.
One such student is (a superb) Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully, who really can't afford to get into any more trouble, or his father will send him to military school.
This is a slow burner aka an effective character study, aka a snapshot of life in December 1970. Hunham has shunned love for his career and has knowledge and wisdom to impart on Tully. Tully might be able to teach him a thing or two as well.
The film has winning performances and great dialogue and is always watchable and intriguing. But this is one of those movies that you're either gonna love or wonder what the point of it was (as the end credits roll.)
Da'Vine Joy Randolph is excellent as Mary Lamb, the Barton cafeteria manager and bereaved mother.
FG FG FG F
DIRECTED BY: Alexander Payne. SCREENPLAY BY: David Hemingson. RUNNING TIME: 133 minutes. CERTIFICATE: 15 / R. USA.
