The Holdovers Oscar nominees Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph have told RTÉ Entertainment that they are amazed at how the film has connected across generations.
The bittersweet story of a curmudgeonly teacher (Giamatti), a rebellious student (newcomer Dominic Sessa), and a grieving cook (Randolph) stuck together in a boarding school over Christmas is nominated for five Academy Awards at this year's Oscars.
Giamatti, who previously worked with The Holdovers director Alexander Payne on Sideways, is shortlisted for Best Actor; Randolph is nominated for Best Supporting Actress, and the film has also received nominations for Best Picture (producer Mark Johnson), Best Original Screenplay (David Hemingson), and Best Editing (Kevin Tent).
The Holdovers has continued to charm audiences since its release before Christmas in the US - with its Oscar nominations guaranteed to provide a box office boost as it plays in Irish cinemas.
"The thing that's striking me the most is just how well it's doing," Giamatti told RTÉ Entertainment.
"I've been actually interested to hear people of all ages, like kids, are responding to it in a way I didn't think that was going to happen, necessarily. Like, teenagers and stuff, which I suppose it's Dom (Dominic Sessa, co-star) and what the story's about, but I didn't know that was going to happen - that all ages are responding to it. That's cool, I like that."
"I think as an artist when you're creating stuff you don't know. You have well wishes and good intent, but I never thought it was going to be at this level," said Randolph.
When asked what their reactions were when they saw the completed film for the first time, both actors said they were taken by surprise.
Giamatti, who went to boarding school and comes from a family of teachers, said: "I had a funny experience because so much of this movie is resonant for me personally that it was actually odd to watch at first.
"I almost couldn't see the movie because it was so familiar to me, that world, that it was hard for me to take in and was actually freaking me out a little bit!
"So it took me a little while to actually then settle into it and I was amazed at how moved I was by it. I mean, I thought it was even more moving than I remembered it being!"
"I don't like watching myself in things, so they had to force me to do it!" Randolph recounted. "Quite literally! They locked me in a screening room and made me watch it! I felt like the old movies. I love old movies, so it felt like when the studio execs are in a little room and they're all smoking and they're like, 'Waaaah'!
"So it was just me in there. It was overwhelming! And that is the best way of seeing things.
"Because to the ending and the music... Music is so powerful; it is quiet when we're doing it (filming). We don't hear anything and that (music) almost was like a whole other character, that was such a powerful element. I think the same way that scary movies use music in a way to heighten your emotions - it was arresting, the music choices. So beautiful."
The Holdovers is in cinemas now.
