User reviews

This is a great movie, no doubt about it. But given the combination of golden globe, Oscar buzz and positive feedback on IMDb, I expected much more.

The story and the premise of the movie is perfect. In fact, the tagline caught my attention enormously: "trying to reconnect with daughters." That is exactly the type of movie I like. Instantly, I could tell this was a movie about character development and human connection, usually the type of movies with the greatest potential.

Unfortunately, it was merely decent, but not special. It felt like the movie built up so much potential, but failed to release it at a certain point during the movie. The whole movie, for me, felt too introductory in nature. Not necessarily the plot, because the plot does evolve, but the overall "feel" of the movie felt preliminary to a bigger and more dramatic event which never happened.

It's not easy to explain my feelings towards the movie because the fault wasn't necessarily technical or specific. But it did linger around and distracted my viewing somewhat. I felt like there was still more to explore in both Clooney's character and the character of his daughters. Also, I think this element alone impacted on Clooney's performance. His performance was good, definitely, but again, because I felt like there was more to be explored, naturally, I also felt like his performance could have been added to (but not necessarily improved).

Given the Oscar buzz of this movie, I have to compare it to other movies of a similar nature. And unfortunately, I didn't feel like there was sufficient connection between the characters...although the potential to reach that connection was established, it was not acted upon in my opinion. Unfortunately I have to say there have been better developed "re-establishing connection" movies.

In summary, this is an enjoyable movie, but it is missing some important elements which deteriorates the viewing experience to some extent.

I hadn't seen so many elderly folks in a movie theatre, since I saw The King's Speech last year. I suppose there is a bit of irony in considering that a film called the Descendants has an audience of ancestors.

The best thing about the movie however, is that I think it can be appreciated greatly by any adult age group, elder or not. There are laughs to be had and tears to be shed. The film centres around middle aged, Matt King; a Hawaiian land baron attempting to connect with his children with the knowledge that his comatose wife is at death's doorstep, and he knows that she had an affair before her accident. Meanwhile, he is under pressure from his network of cousins to sell his inherited land to the kind of real estate that wants to put up a seaside condo-mania.

In essence, it's a recovery story. The formula is not entirely 'new' yet the somewhat paradoxical balance of refinement and dry humour are enough to elevate this to a very well rounded story. As far as drama comedies go, The Descendants is ideal.

This may be George Clooney's best lead performance to date. I think it is the first role that doesn't require him to be slick or charismatic even for a moment. He is rather scruffy, but more importantly, he is human. Clooney brings range to the role, hitting all the right notes, funny and serious alike.

I like the fact that even though we are on Hawaii (a photographer's paradise) the island doesn't look all that special. It's important that The islands look just as mundane to the audience as it would to the characters who inhabitant it. Most of the time it's cloudy, and low brow, except for the few moments where it is necessary to bring out the sunshine, as we stand on a cliffs edge with the King family overlooking dozens of acres of land which could very soon become merchandise.

Another thing I like about the Descendents (which you don't see often) is an ending that is both happy and sad. Some say that great films are the ones that leave you wanting more. The Descendants did this to me, and it's probably the closest thing to a great film I've seen this year.

With the promising cast, an interesting subject matter, the substantial awards attention, the critical acclaim and being familiar with and highly appreciating much of Alexander Payne's work (especially 'Sideways', his recent film 'Downsizing' is an exeption), interest in seeing 'The Descendants' was high.

On the most part, after finally seeing it, 'The Descendants' delivers. It's not perfect and it doesn't quite make it in my list of my favourite films of 2011. It's not Payne's best or my favourite of his, as indicated already that's 'Sideways' while also loving 'About Schmidt' and 'Election'. Its many good points however are outstanding and far outweigh the issues, making it a very good film and almost (but not quite) great one. Considering though that it had all the ingredients to be great, that it wasn't quite gave a slight air of disappointment.

'The Descendants' may not say much new or deep, for a film with heavy and complicated themes this will disappoint some, part of me thought in places things could have gone into more detail.

A few parts came over as being too convenient in occurrence and resolution. Perhaps there could have been less narration, which actually isn't that irritating or over-used but the film would have worked without it.

However, 'The Descendants' is gorgeously shot, making the most of and clearly loving the picturesque Hawaiian locations and landscapes that makes one want to book a holiday there immediately. The use of traditional Hawaiian music on the soundtrack gave the film authenticity and added a lot to the mood of the story, especially in the more melancholic elements that are enhanced by it. Payne directs with his usual wit and warmth.

Payne's script is a large part of 'The Descendants' success. There is a lot of poignant pathos that does give enough depth to the melancholic element of the story, but it is balanced beautifully with a sincere honesty, thoughtfulness, glowing warmth and humorous comic elements.

Admittedly the story is deliberate and it's not the most insightful or breaking-new-ground there is, but the sympathetic tackling of the heavy and complicated personal themes really strikes an emotional chord and the warmth and gentle tone make it interesting. The characters are written well and the father and daughter relationship has a lot of heart and one of the film's biggest strengths.

George Clooney gives one of his finest performances in a challenging role that he brings a lot of layers to. The performance of Shailene Woodley is similarly among the year's best yet criminally overlooked, a very heartfelt, engaging and beyond her years turn. The rest of the cast are just as affecting (particularly Judy Greer and Beau Bridges), while there's welcome levity from Nick Krause, as one of the more rounded supporting characters, and a surprisingly good Matthew Lillard (was expecting him to jar seeing as he tends to play goofballs yet here in a less likeable role in a gentle drama).

Overall, very good and could have been great with just a few tweaks. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I do not know the book inspiring the film. But the film is real seductive for the fresh honesty. For the performance of George Clooney. For atmosphere and for the realism of the clash between generations. The delicate humor, the nice performances, the story are few virtues defining a beautiful film about family, death, secrets, courage, reconciliation with yourself, new beginning and duty. So, a beautiful film.

The Descendants (2011)

Wow, lots of great sharp close-ups of George Clooney. And a wonderful place to set a movie, contemporary Hawaii, not just the surf and nature scene, but the reality, too, of family and people interacting casually.

There's a forced plot here, a do good situation where some precious Hawaiian land is in danger of being developed, and you know almost from the first minute it's mentioned what the outcome will be. There's a second plot, too, which is more intense, having to do with an affair that gets uncovered and Clooney's sense of discovery and retribution for it.

But what is supposed to be the main point of the movie, in terms of emotional intensity at least, is the trickiest and maybe the thinnest: Clooney's wife is in a coma and is set to have her life support unplugged and then shortly die. His two daughters are supposed to be mischief makers of the worst sort (unconvincingly) and the drama of the oncoming death and the affair discovered during the midst of it all makes the father and daughters reconsider each other.

Sounds good but it only goes so far. Which is to say it's not a bad movie at all, just nothing that rises above. The one mention during, say, Academy Awards month was that Clooney's performance was standout. And it was, though not any more than other Clooney performances, restrained and consummately professional the same way Tom Hanks is. Which is often just a hair short of the breathtaking stuff others pull off at their best.

The best part of the movie is probably just the relative accuracy of the local Hawaiian culture, relaxed and appreciative but also caught up in the usual material and family concerns of any other U.S. locale.

The Descendants is a tragic and heartfelt family drama set against a backdrop of the sights and sounds of modern Hawaii. The music is wonderful, and the scenery of several Hawaiian islands is amazing.

George Clooney is outstanding as the father of a family torn apart by tragedy. His character deals with unsettling secrets of his dying wife and his broken relationships with his two troubled daughters. Forced to deal with the consequences of neglecting his family, Clooney does a great job capturing conflicting and powerful emotions.

Shailone Woodley does a wonderful job as the rebellious older daughter, who captures the anger and hurt of a teenager betrayed by her mother and abandoned by her father. Her relationship with her father is the heart of the movie, and they slowly learn to rely on each other for support and strength in dealing with the loss of their mother/wife.

The film has a wonderful supporting cast that adds humanity and heart to the tragic story. Nick Krause stands out as the oldest daughter's friend, who adds a touch of laughter and perspective to the film. His open and carefree personality grates on the characters initially but helps them to eventually gain perspective on the tragic events.

Overall, the Descendants was an excellent movie that captures the raw emotions of a family dealing with betrayal, pain, and loss and learning to draw together for love and support.

Matt King (George Clooney) is descendant from Hawaiian royalty. And he must decide on what to do with his inheritance of a large tract of land. His daughters have no respect for him. And his wife Elizabeth is on life support after a boating accident.

There is something about his wife that he doesn't know at first. It is an emotional punch to the gut. This does lead to a very powerful scene at the end. Clooney stretches out his acting skills that he doesn't usually use. He is at times a pathetic loser. Director/writer Alexander Payne is pulling something out of this that George is not known for. For a long time now, he's been this suave sexiest man alive. He isn't that guy here. It's both good and bad. It's nice to see him stretch. But it's disconcerting to see him against type. Shailene Woodley does a good turn as an opinionated teen.

This movie is one of the best movies I've seen in a while, and that's judging it from what it is. I became a fan of A P after watching Sideways and ended up reading the book before watching the movie. I think the biggest problem people have with this movie is that it's not the typical "HOLLYWOOD" movie that forces "emotion" down our throat nor is it the typical "INDIE" film with shaky cameras, far out one shots and so on. It's simple, a bit plain, and raw. We're presented with characters that may not seem interesting at first look, but when it comes down to it, AP has once again showed us a reflection of ourselves and people we know around us. We're normal. We're not all flashy people with cool lives and have interesting personalities. Some people just ARE and live that way. I recently lost the person who would have been my mother in law. I'm twenty four, and my girlfriend is twenty two, and her little sister is fourteen. My girlfriend has recently taken custody over her sister, and with their father passing away before the little sister was born, I've found myself in a bit of a father role and it's scary and new and very strange at times. I completely related to Clooney's character right away, and could feel the frustration he felt, and the emotions he felt. I think he did well with dealing with them. It felt real to me. In fact, everyone's emotions toward the tragedy the film presents felt very real. I saw those same reactions from sisters, aunties, uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers. Some blamed others while others completely lost it. Some felt mad, while others just cried and broke down. Some were oblivious to the news(like the grand mother in the movie) while others were simply there to comfort(Sid). I really appreciated the entire movie, scenery, and dialogue(and at times lack there of). I really enjoyed the frustration they felt one minute, the humor the next, and the forgetfulness of the tragedy at times. It was like seeing a movie based on what my girlfriend and I were going through, and it felt comforting that someone had captured that so well. Not every tragedy will be filled with a room full of criers. Some might. Not all we be filled with humor and relief. Some will. For us, it was everything. It didn't seem real, and at times, it seemed dull. This movie has a special way of presenting itself in that manner and I really liked it. I'm sure not everyone will like. Either they're use to super hero action movies, horror movies, or stuff like Twilight. Maybe you are into good dramas and indie flicks and for whatever reason you didn't connect with that one. For me, a person who's just lived through it and am discovering to be a dad type to someone I'm still getting to know…it was simple, perfect.

10/10

(2011) The Descendants DRAMA/ COMEDY

Second Oscar nominated film co-written and directed by Alexander Payne adapted from the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings. The movie stars George Clooney as Matt King whose in charge of a huge multi-million dollar deal of an estate somewhere in Hawaii. And at the same time his wife is in a coma lying in bed after a boating accident, he then gets advice from the doctor that she's not going to wake up, therefore the plug has to be pulled. Upon visiting his oldest daughter, Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) she tries to tell her dad that she was not a very good mom because she cheated on him while he was working. This synopsis is only the backdrop to Matt's advance notice to family and close friends that he's going to pull the plug on his allegedly cheating wife. I think all the actors involved are exceptional but I just can't get over the whole yuppie environment thing as well as the anti-marriage subplot which involves the cheating wife. Actor Clooney may have had a say upon this film's direction since it feels somewhat similar to his previous film "Up In The Air".

Alexander Payne hasn't made a film from the director's chair since his incredible Sideways back in 2004. Seven years later, he finally returns, and with The Descendants, he returns with a bang.

Like Sideways, his screenplay (co-written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash) nails the tone right on the head. It has to balance out three tricky narratives in the film (Matt King's self-crisis, his comatose wife's affair with another man before her boating accident, and a land deal he's reported to make), and without the proper guidance it needed, along with Payne's own confidant direction, it could have faltered. Thankfully, it balances out heavy themes and complicated emotions in uncommon detail.

The characters in this movie are many, complicated, and sorrowful in their own unique ways. Matt King was a perfect role for George Clooney. He keeps his composure, but we can still see a very heavy, filtered sorrow beneath the surface. Shailene Woodley's character (Woodley, by the way, gives one of the year's best performances) begins with a rebellious, even angry sadness, but we can see her develop over the course of the film, gaining a strong maturity beyond her years. Judy Greer and Robert Forster are each given a few spare scenes, and they make every second of their screen time count.

It really is an emotional ride, even depressing sometimes, but I'm surprised by the occasional review I read where critics say they didn't feel the emotion to be sincere. In my opinion, the emotions of the film never hit a single false note. I don't think just anybody could have made this movie the way it is. This isn't a typical drama, the movie's genre is Payne, and he knows exactly what he's doing.

***1/2 out of ****

"The Descendants" (2011), directed by Alexander Payne, is a poignant drama that delves into themes of family, grief, and the complexities of human relationships. Starring George Clooney as Matt King, a Hawaiian landowner grappling with personal and familial crises, the film presents a heartfelt exploration of loss and redemption.

The story follows Matt as he navigates the aftermath of a boating accident that leaves his wife in a coma. Faced with the challenge of caring for his two daughters while dealing with the impending loss of their mother, Matt embarks on a journey that forces him to confront both his family's secrets and his own shortcomings as a husband and father.

Clooney delivers a compelling performance, capturing Matt's internal struggle with both humor and vulnerability. The supporting cast, including Shailene Woodley as his eldest daughter, adds depth to the narrative, creating a realistic portrayal of family dynamics during difficult times.

Visually, the film beautifully showcases the Hawaiian landscape, contrasting the idyllic setting with the emotional turmoil of the characters. The cinematography enhances the story, making the viewer feel the weight of Matt's journey.

While the pacing is generally strong, some moments may feel drawn out, and certain plot points could have been explored more deeply. However, the film's emotional resonance and relatable themes ultimately shine through.

In conclusion, "The Descendants" is a nuanced film that explores the complexities of family and the importance of forgiveness. With its strong performances and thoughtful storytelling, I would rate it a 7/10. It's a touching experience that invites reflection on what it means to be a family in the face of adversity.

This drama offers nothing that unique, it's just really well done. I was moved by the incredibly realistic, raw and deeply complex characters and relationships. They're written, directed and acted brilliantly. These and other film techniques evoke in the audience a wide range of emotions that are exactly what you would expect people in the characters' circumstances to be experiencing. Confusion, grief, frustration, anger and a lingering solemness are just some of the things I was positioned to feel so profoundly alongside the characters. These things justify the grave narrative in a truly impacting way. The characters and plot are definitely the highlights, although there are also several well-crafted and highly relevant themes and perspectives woven into the film, that add more layers of brilliance to an already great watch. There's also not much in the movie that's not purposeful. Great examples of this are the setting and soundtrack, which not only aid the plot but also develop mood and help construct the messages being conveyed. There are also some genuinely funny moments scattered throughout. All of these things combine to produce a viewing that is immensely enjoyable, impacting and thought-provoking. If you haven't seen The Descendants yet, I'd highly recommend it.

The buzz about this film has been Oscar-worthy, but the actual film is a major disappointment, particularly because it was co-written and directed by Alexander Payne, whose earlier films include the brilliant SIDEWAYS and ELECTION, and whose 7-year absence from film has been deeply felt.

THE DESCENDANTS feels more like Payne's ABOUT SCHMIDT, which gave Jack Nicholson a good late-career role but was still just another road movie. This film feels underwritten and too often predictable. There is little doubt where we are going, but Payne's journey to get us there is too often uncertain in tone. Scenes and incidents, some funny, others sad, are set up, and then don't pay off.

Clooney gives a good, understated performance, but his character's changes, from selfish, stingy, uncaring father and husband, to loving, concerned dad and human being, are never dramatized; we're just supposed to accept it. The whole cast is good, even Nick Krause in the Keanu Reeves role from "Parenthood" (the scene where the dopey teen gives advice to Clooney about his daughter is the same as Reeves giving advice to Dianne Wiest in the earlier film).

Some times it feels as though the film were too heavily edited, and the missing scenes would have answered all our questions and satisfied our emotional needs. Perhaps reality TV has inured us to "real" drama, and Payne is simply reflecting an audience's inability to respond to a non-reality dramedy. Just hypothetical, but how else to explain the ultimate emptiness of an "important" film that just doesn't deliver?

The director of this movie, Alexander Payne, was the guy who made "Sideways." This is a very different movie in that it focuses on family relationships rather than those between friends and lovers. But, Payne displays--in this touching and very real movie--the same incredible talent for doing two things better than almost every other movie maker (at least as far as I'm concerned): 1) he brings the viewer into the geography and milieu of the time and place in a gritty way that clearly presents the natural beauty of the area without over-romanticizing it and 2) he fits the characters into this environment and achieves a reality for these people that transcends the 2-dimensional characters that populate the multiplexes. You really care about these people.

Another similarity between the characters in "Sideways" and this movie is that the protagonists are, in at least one important way, lost. They both are also honest with themselves.

And thank God Payne did not use an orchestra for the soundtrack that would foreshadow and punctuate the scenes telling us how our emotions should run...I will not tell you what the soundtrack is, other than to say it's perfect.

This is not a comedy though there are a few laugh lines. Clooney will get the Oscar for this...how can he not? He is in every scene, and I cannot imagine him being better. And Shailene Woodley plays his older daughter: just amazing. A beautifully realized character.

I tried carefully here to give nothing away but to encourage you to see this as soon as you can. Brilliant.

George spent a lot of time as his Hawaii dad character in this film with a clueless, deer-in-the-headlights look that was funny at first, but became his standard look throughout due to his mostly absentee-father's inability to gain a clue about his family's inner workings and how to deal with them after his wife was badly injured and he had to take over as the functioning head of the family. With his injured and formerly cheating wife now almost dead, his unruly kids running amok, and his big family real estate deal not settled and very confusing, he was clearly out of his depth as a husband and a father and was totally baffled about the best way to lead his kids toward a better life and his many relatives toward their chance of a lifetime real estate deal that could make all of them fabulously wealthy. The workings of those problems were the basis of the story, with a bit of his Hawaiian heritage backstory included to round it out. Seeing George as other than his typically so-cool and suave self, and pulling it off well, showed us that he has learned to be a very good actor and can inhabit a role totally opposite his own persona and make us believe in it.

The film has been touted as a possible academy award contender, and it did have some good moments, but that accolade is a stretch, IMO. Most of the players did a good job in undemanding roles, but I was especially encouraged that his almost-dead wife in a coma was not glorified with lots of phony make up and an only-sleeping look in order to appear almost normal, as is done in most films. She looked realistically terrible, as she actually would in real life. But, the story lacked serious dramatic tension and mostly meandered toward a very predictable conclusion, both in the family's new-found cohesion and in the big real estate deal, and had no surprises at all so a higher rating was not truly earned. A good picture and worth seeing, but certainly not a great one.

I love the freedom oozing from Alexander Payne's films. The clarity and simplicity of the idea and its execution. All the answers and unity found under a grieving cloud. George Clooney's Matt King is, quite simply, superb. The humanity of the man mingling with his contradictions. So refreshing to spend time with this immediately recognizable man. I couldn't help but loving him. If it's true that Clooney dominates the film, he is surrounded by compelling characters. His eldest daughter, played by the remarkable Shailene Woodley for instance or her boyfriend, a winning Nick Krause, contribute to make "The Descendants" one of the best films of 2011.

Pros: Acting performances all around, especially from George Clooney and Shailene Woodley as Clooney's 18 year old daughter. Clooney pretty much carries the movie by his acting alone, even when nothing of significance is ever going on. Also, the key characters are given a significant amount of depth, so no one really feels like a caricature, except for Sid (Woodley's boyfriend), who was basically written into the movie for a few quick laughs. Cinematography is also solid, as one would expect in a movie filmed in Hawaii. It never takes center stage - and is always a supporting role in the film, as cinematography and visuals should be.

Cons: The musical score, with its soft, Hawaiian, plucking guitar strings, is used far too often during the film - as if director Alexander Payne is begging for the audience to cry and care at certain moments. There are also too many instances of tears flowing from characters' faces (mostly Woodley's), as if the film is trying to direct the audience on when they themselves are supposed to tear up. It just feels too manipulative in these moments, as if this is a Lifetime movie or Dr. Phil episode, instead of just letting emotions and truth appear naturally. Also, the film feels way, way longer than it needs to be. This is essentially an 80 minute story stretched out to a bloated 120 minutes. It literally takes 30-40 minutes in the middle part of the film for Clooney and his daughters to track someone down, when that should have taken 5-10 minutes of screen time. Some parts in the 2nd half are plodding and slow, until we have the formulaic tearjerker finale.

Strong acting performances aside, I expected more from this movie's script, given the fact that I loved Election, About Schmidt, and Sideways. This feels more like an unfinished draft, with too much music and beautiful, lush beaches added in to fill in the void of a tighter, more compelling story. All in all, it feels more like a Lifetime or Hallmark station holiday movie, rather than a memorable piece of storytelling. I have a feeling this film will resonate more with female audiences, as this type of chick flick "affairs and backstabbing drama" seems more up their kind of alley. Maybe this is part of Clooney's marketing strategy now when he releases a movie? I noticed the same type of "chick flick" focus in much of the plot in "Ides of March" a month ago. I think the studios know that Clooney brings in the female audience, especially the coveted female audience over 40 years of age, so maybe they are now targeting his movies towards them? I sure hope not. I'm a male and I thought "Up in the Air" and "Michael Clayton" were brilliant, but these last 2 have really underwhelmed me.

Ultimately the Charm of this film came from it's Setting - Hawaii

~jodawa.

It has been quite some time since the Toronto International Film Festival, but I still have trouble coming up with something negative to say about The Descendants. It was a film I was immensely excited to see, and one that I think I just managed to squeak into on the second last day of the festival. I tried to not overhype myself, but with George Clooney teaming up with Alexander Payne, a filmmaker whose last film was made almost a decade ago, I could barely contain myself.

Matt King (Clooney) just found out that his wife is in a coma in the hospital. Matt has always been one to put things off, and has never really found time for his kids. But in this time of need, he finds that he is struggling to identify with older daughter Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) and younger daughter Scottie (Amara Miller). When he learns of a stunning secret about his wife, it thrusts him into an adventure alongside his daughters to find out the truth, while also finding himself.

From beginning to end, Payne has crafted an endearing film that is hilarious and devastating, often in the same sequence. This is a more calculated family-related effort than I originally thought it would be (with a bit too much emphasis placed on the extended family and land owning subplot), but it is the driving force of everything that happens on-screen. He never overindulges, and never gets too far ahead of himself. He lets the drama play out just as much as he does the comedy, and always keeps the film moving at a borderline ridiculous pace. This may be an indie, but it speaks more to the mainstream than Sideways ever even tried to. It is a truly spectacular work, and one that proves the worth of a talent that has been gone for far too long.

While he already solidified his leading man status years ago, Clooney quite simply knocks this one out of the park. It is not the typical role we are accustomed to seeing him in, and I think that is what sells it the most. This is a very mature role for Clooney, away from the playboys, the lotharios and the screwballs. He is out of his element, much like the character he is playing, thrust into a situation he never expected in a very adult way. He plays Matt in a very nuanced way, always hovering along the fine line of being a struggling parent and having a full blown emotional breakdown. Clooney has continually proved that he is willing to reinvent himself, and his work here is no different. From the moment he steps on-screen, you are simply enamoured by his presence. We can see the brief twinkle in his eye that suggests he is still the Clooney we all know and adore, but his hardened exterior suggests he is trying to camouflage that fact. I said years ago that Up in the Air was his strongest work. But his work here makes it look positively amateur in comparison.

For all of Clooney's brilliance, it is surprising to note that Woodley almost steals the movie entirely away from him. While she has had quite a lot of experience on television, this is her first real film role and is an immeasurable breakout. The trailer suggests she is a bit of a wild child, but seeing the heartbreak and pain in her face after she finds out what has happened to her mother is enough to make you want to weep uncontrollably. Lucky for her, she gets more than one scene to prove her emotional chops, and she nails each and every one. She holds her own against Clooney, and has just the right amount of charisma and angst to make her character above and beyond believable. Her struggle to find her place and to help her father on this adventure is the emotional crux of the film, and the real driving spirit. She may be extremely younger than Clooney is, but she is an old soul. Their relationship and chemistry is amazing, and should she have been acting against a less capable actor, I doubt she would be anywhere near as powerful as she is.

The supporting cast, made up of Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, Nick Krause, Robert Forster and an almost unrecognizable Matthew Lilliard, are all excellent in their small roles. All of them get some really memorable moments to shine, and help to make Clooney and Woodley's performances even greater. Special mention needs to go to both Patricia Hastie, who is confined to a hospital bed for all but about thirty seconds of her screen-time as Matt's wife Elizabeth, and newcomer Miller as Scottie. She is naive and innocent throughout, never once coming off as that annoying kid you try to forget exists. She has a lot of fun in the role, and strikes a real emotional chord at just the right moments. I can only hope directors continue to use her in the future for roles that are just as good, if not better.

It may have taken me practically two months to write about it, but I still find myself at a loss for words about The Descendants. It is finally rolling out into theatres now, and I cannot wait to see the film again. The cast is amazing, with Clooney coming out swinging. Payne may have taken his time finding a follow-up for Sideways, but what he has returned with is nothing short of amazing. Run, drive, fly – whatever you have to do, just make sure you do not miss it.

9/10.

My German teacher loves George Clooney! Although she never met him and probably never will, nor will he meet her it is interesting what an appeal he has to the Balkan women, and to the women in general.

This film is a good try to show disfuncionality of today families. Before accident happened, they never talked to each other and he and she was cheating on each other. Is marriage even worth it? Plot is very interesting, as far as showing what I mentioned above, although, in today modern world when you try to make a human story, it does not always turn out for the best.

Acting is excellent, especially when HIS MAJESTY CONQUEROR OF THE FEMALE HEARTS is acting.

I recommend this film, for the sole purpose of watching him act.