The Holdovers - You're not your father

At Barton Academy, Paul Hunham, a knowledgeable classics professor, struggles to maintain positive relationships with his peers and students. As punishment for failing the donor's son in his course, Headmaster Woodrup assigns Paul to supervise the students who must stay at school during Christmas break.

Angus Tully originally planned to spend Christmas with his mother in St. Kitts, but she cancels at the last minute to honeymoon with her new husband. Forced to remain at school with the other holdovers, Angus is dismayed to find that Paul intends to treat the holiday like a regular school day with rigorous study and exercise.

When the parents of one of the holdovers arrive in a helicopter to take the other students on a ski trip, Angus's parents cannot be reached, leaving him behind. Mary Lamb, the cafeteria manager, also stays behind, having nowhere to go after losing her son in the war. The three of them spend Christmas together at the school.

After catching Angus trying to use a telephone, Paul chases him, resulting in Angus accidentally falling and injuring himself. To conceal the incident, they decide to fabricate their relationship. Later, Miss Crane invites Paul, Mary, and Angus to her Christmas Eve party. While Paul and Angus enjoy themselves, Mary is overwhelmed with grief for her lost son, prompting them to leave early.

On Christmas Day, Paul has prepared gifts for his friends and family, including a Christmas tree and books. Although Paul is reluctant, he agrees to take Angus on a trip to Boston, considering it a learning experience. Meanwhile, Mary decides to visit her sister in the same city. During their time together, Paul coincidentally met an old Harvard classmate who has become a professor there. To avoid embarrassment, Paul lies about his current occupation, and Angus plays along. Later, Paul reveals to Angus that he had been expelled from Harvard for assaulting a person who framed him for plagiarism.

While Paul and Angus go to see a movie, Angus try to sneak out to visit his father in a psychiatric hospital. Paul reluctantly accompanies him. Angus's father's condition has significantly worsened since his last visit, causing Paul to worry whether he might inherit his father's mental health issues. However, Paul reassures Angus that he has the power to shape his own destiny and is not destined to follow his father's path. They decided to keep their secrets to themselves.

When the Christmas holiday ended and school resumed, Paul is called to the principal's office. Angus's parents want to know about the Boston trip. Aware that Angus will be sent to military school if the truth is revealed, Paul lies and takes full responsibility for the incident. As a result, Paul is forced to leave the school, while Angus is allowed to stay.

Despite initial conflicts, the characters in the story gradually learn to accept and understand each other. The narrative emphasizes the importance of spending time with people and getting to know their true selves. We should reach out and build connections, as even those who seem different can become valuable companions.