Last week I reported that Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” was test-screened in Santa Monica. The early reactions were very positive, and I was told that it was a return-to-form for the gifted writer-director.
I also pondered whether the movie was ready for Telluride. Well, it turns out that, according to Payne himself, “The Holdovers” cut shown in California was a “work-in-progress.” The film just isn’t finished.
“The Holdovers” will most certainly be going to the Cannes Film Festival next year where Payne has been a mainstay in competition since 2002’s “About Schmidt.” It’s a no-brainer prediction on my part — the chances of seeing Payne at Cannes ‘23 are quite high.
Payne’s last film was 2017’s “Downsizing,” which did not get favourably reviewed. In fact, it’s the only film of his career to have gotten mixed reviews, with all the other ones receiving near-universal acclaim.