Alexander Payne has faced accusations of condescension towards his characters in movies such as "Election," "Citizen Ruth," and "Nebraska." Personally, I have always found this criticism somewhat superficial but understandable, considering the eccentric personalities that dominate those films and the fine line between finding people entertaining and mocking them. I mention this because his latest work, "The Holdovers," completely lacks this aspect of his career. On the contrary, Payne genuinely adores these individuals. You can sense it in every shot, every line delivery, and every narrative decision. In a time when cynicism is on the rise, I believe many people will also develop a fondness for these characters.