Paul Giamatti’s unusual-looking eye in The Holdovers is a designed effect for his character, Paul Hunham—not evidence that Giamatti has a lazy eye. Production reporting says the filmmakers used custom, hand-painted soft contact lenses, and director Alexander Payne intentionally changed which eye looked lazy from shot to shot.
Why does Hunham’s eye seem to change sides?
It was deliberate. Makeup department head Sarah Rubano told Vanity Fair that Payne wanted the lazy-looking eye to switch from left to right depending on the camera angle and shot. That means there is no single eye that appears consistently affected throughout the film.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Holdovers - Collector's Edition Blu-ray + DVD + Digital | $13.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Holdovers - Collector's Edition 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray | $27.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![The Holdovers [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sbFDNo19L._SL160_.jpg)
|
The Holdovers [Blu-ray] | $20.09 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Holdovers - Lezioni Di Vita (Blu-ray) | $22.52 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Holdovers - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Rubano said the shifting detail was meant to keep viewers guessing which eye was the “right” one, much as Angus does. The eye’s uncertainty becomes part of how Hunham’s face reads on screen, rather than a stable physical trait for the audience to decode.
How was the eye effect made?
Vanity Fair’s production reporting credits lens designer Cristina Patterson with creating custom soft contact lenses and hand-painting successive versions to achieve the look. Matching Giamatti’s eye color as it appeared on camera was difficult, and the white of the eye also needed adjustment. Patterson described the chemical process as a trade secret, so the precise technique has not been made public.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
Technician Zach Ripps worked on set to help Giamatti adjust to the lens and change it when Payne selected the other side for a shot. The report says wearing the lens rendered Giamatti blind in that eye while it was in place; this is a detail about the production effect, not a medical description of the actor.
Is Paul Giamatti’s eye actually a “lazy eye”?
The available production accounts describe a character effect, not a diagnosis of Giamatti. Miramax’s official film page calls Hunham “optically-challenged,” but that is a character description. The reporting supports the use of lenses to create his unusual appearance; it does not establish that Giamatti has amblyopia or another eye condition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why haven’t Giamatti and Payne explained the full trick?
They have chosen not to disclose all the mechanics. In a WNYC interview, Payne said he preferred not to divulge how the wonky eye was achieved. Giamatti likewise called it a mystery he could not reveal in a ComingSoon interview. The production reporting identifies the custom lenses and the shot-dependent switch, but the exact process remains undisclosed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Holdovers
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
