As the students of New England prep school Barton Academy excitedly depart for the winter holidays, a rag-tag bunch with nowhere to go are forced to stay behind. Making things worse, their appointed ‘babysitter’ is the cantankerous Professor Hunham (Paul Giamatti).

But as the days pass, the grumpy professor forms an unexpected bond with smart-but-troubled student Angus (Dominic Sessa), and the school’s cook (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), who is grieving the loss of her son.

Director Alexander Payne reunites with his Sideways star Paul Giamatti in a film that strikes the perfect balance between pathos and playfulness.

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