Director Alexander Payne sought to authentically capture the New England atmosphere of the 1970s for his acclaimed film, “The Holdovers.” To achieve this, Payne made the pivotal decision to film the entirety of the movie in Massachusetts. This commitment to location authenticity is a key element in bringing the world of “The Holdovers” to life.
Payne himself noted the enduring character of New England, stating to WBUR in November, “change comes slowly to New England… You can still go have dinner in restaurants that have been there since 1760.” This timeless quality of the region perfectly suited his vision for a film set in the seventies, yet resonating with a sense of enduring place.
This dedication to capturing the genuine New England setting has undoubtedly contributed to the success of “The Holdovers,” culminating in its prestigious nomination for Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards. The film, a poignant comedy-drama, unfolds at Barton Academy, a fictional boarding school that feels remarkably real thanks to its authentic locations.
The narrative of “The Holdovers” centers around Paul Giamatti’s character, a history teacher tasked with supervising Angus Tully, a troubled teenager with nowhere to spend Christmas break. Dominic Sessa, who portrays Tully, brought a unique authenticity to the role, as he was a student at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, actively involved in the school’s drama program. Crucially, Deerfield Academy itself became a primary filming location for “The Holdovers,” with the production team utilizing the school’s front lawn and building exteriors to create the setting of Barton Academy.
Beyond Deerfield Academy, “The Holdovers” broadened its location shooting to encompass four additional Massachusetts educational institutions, as reported by Town & Country Magazine. This strategic use of multiple school locations further enriches the film’s portrayal of the boarding school environment.
The film crew captured scenes within the chapel of Groton School in Groton, adding to the film’s visual depth. Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill provided exterior shots, while St. Mark’s School in Southborough offered its dining hall, gymnasium, and headmaster’s office for filming. Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven contributed its study hall and auditorium to the movie’s diverse settings.
“The Holdovers” also ventured beyond school grounds, filming in iconic Massachusetts locations. The Somerville Theatre and Brattle Book Shop in Downtown Boston provided unique backdrops. The Orpheum Theatre and areas around Boston Common were also utilized, further grounding the film in the Massachusetts landscape, as noted by WBUR.
Scenes were additionally filmed behind Boston City Hall Plaza. Worcester became another key location, with a prominent Christmas tree erected outside Worcester’s City Hall during the winter of 2022 for production purposes, as reported by WCVB. Principal photography for “The Holdovers” commenced in Massachusetts on January 27, 2022, and concluded in late March, according to Boston.com, solidifying the state’s central role in the film’s creation.
Interestingly, the New England connection extended beyond filming locations to the cast and crew. Paul Giamatti drew upon his own experiences as a student at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, during the 1980s to inform his portrayal of the demanding history teacher, as detailed by The Wrap. This personal connection added another layer of authenticity to his performance.
Furthermore, Kai Quinlan, the film’s location manager, has deep roots in New England, having grown up partly in Cambridge and attended The Cambridge School of Weston, as reported by The Boston Globe. Quinlan emphasized Payne’s desire to film in Massachusetts because he is “a director who really loves to find the real thing.” Quinlan’s previous work on other Massachusetts-based films like “Black Mass,” “Manchester by the Sea,” and “Spotlight” further underscores his expertise in capturing the essence of the region on film.
The meticulous attention to location and authentic New England details has clearly resonated with audiences and critics alike. Beyond its Best Picture nomination, “The Holdovers” has garnered Oscar nominations for Best Actor (Giamatti), Best Supporting Actress (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), Original Screenplay, and Best Editing, recognizing the film’s excellence across various cinematic disciplines. The 96th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will be broadcast on ABC on Sunday, March 10, offering a chance to celebrate the achievements of “The Holdovers” and its authentic portrayal of Massachusetts.
