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Two things I would claim life-long love for are sweet treats and coming of age stories. Christmas, to me, is a time for both of them.

Holidays are a staple of coming of age stories, likely because they’re relatable. Like yes I’m just like Harry Potter because I also have a Christmas tree on Christmas! Wow! But in some cases, I think that holidays (chiefly Christmas) play a larger role for thematic or narrative purposes. Consider: Little Women, Submarine, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and don’t forget Catcher in the Rye!

While I love all of these stories, I need to confess my love for Catcher in the Rye most of all. It’s seriously one of my favorite books. Being a stupid, angsty kid is such a key part of Christmas that the book portrays beautifully. And Christmastime in New York wouldn’t mean half what it does in pop culture without Holden Caulfield’s misguided adventures. I love that shit-kid.

Knowing my adoration for that book, it should be no surprise that The Holdovers totally won me over last night. It's a heartfelt coming of age story with a great deal of Catcher inspiration and a very Christmassy setting. I love its portrayal of innocence, which is obvious in its deuteragonist, but is also revealed in its gruff protagonist. The character, played by Paul Giamatti, was so so intriguing to me.

I can’t relate to the shit-kids of classic coming of age stories as much as I once could. Holden Caulfield feels more like someone I used to resemble (In mindset…) than someone I could relate to today. But adults deserve similarly aged people to look to for solace on changing!

A shit-adult isn’t nearly as glamorized as a shit-kid. Thats why The Holdovers really surprised me-- I found myself relating more to the protagonist, Hunham, than Tully, although we would be closer in age. Is growing up less about losing innocence than it's made out to be?