Paul Giamatti stars in this comedy drama from director Alexander Payne. Classics professor Paul Hunham (Giamatti) is disliked by his students for his harsh critique and general persona. When he jeopardises the school's funding by giving the son of an important donor a low grade, headmaster Hardy Woodrup (Andrew Garman) assigns him to holdover duty, minding the students unable to go home for the holidays.

Along with school chef Mary Lamb (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), Paul must take care of student Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa) whose mother cancelled their holiday in favour of a trip with her new husband. As the unlikely trio make the best of a bad situation, they attempt to enjoy each others' company and find common ground.