Movie Review: The Descendants
The idyllic Hawaiian islands are a dream holiday destination for many. But is it the case for those who live on the isle? Set in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, director Alexander Payne offers a funny yet moving tale of a family hit by life-altering situations. Adapted from Kaui Hart Hemmings's novel of the same name, The Descendants is all about Matt King (George Clooney), a Honolulu based lawyer.
The middle-aged Matt is also a land owner and the sole trustee of a family trust that controls vast tracts of pristine land on Kauai. With the trust expiring in a few years, the family decides to sell off the land to a native who plans to subsequently commercialize the place as a tourist spot. Despite the attachment he has towards the place he had grown up as a boy, he endorses the deal. But before it can materialize, an unfortunate boat mishap leaves Matt's wife, Elizabeth, in a state of coma.
Matt, admitting that he had never been a good parent, thanks to his busy work life, is suddenly confronted with a long list of duties, especially taking care of his two daughters - Scottie (Amara Miller) and Alex (Shailene Woodley), while bracing for the inevitable fact that Elizabeth may never be able to wake up from her coma and have to be removed from life-support.
Echoing the profound statement that people living in Hawaii aren't tourists on permanent vacation, director Alexander Payne beautifully captures the cheer and gloom and the joys and sorrows, never losing focus of the movie's emotional beating core. Wearing over-sized Hawaiian floral shirts, George Clooney shines as Matt, tracing the transformation from being a back-up parent to a doting dad with a restrained and glowing performance. Among the others, Shailene as the intractable teenager, Nick Krause as Alex's male friend and Robert Forster as Matt's petulant father-in-law get their acts well and add more depth and humour to the proceedings.
Breathtakingly capturing the islands of Hawaii and laden with humour and heart-breaking moments, Payne tremendously succeeds in portraying the life of a middle-aged protagonist, who, after losing touch with his family and his land (read nature), tries to reconnect with them. The Descendants is beyond doubt a movie that perfectly weaves together the imperfections of humanity. A must watch!
Matt, admitting that he had never been a good parent, thanks to his busy work life, is suddenly confronted with a long list of duties, especially taking care of his two daughters - Scottie (Amara Miller) and Alex (Shailene Woodley), while bracing for the inevitable fact that Elizabeth may never be able to wake up from her coma and have to be removed from life-support.
Echoing the profound statement that people living in Hawaii aren't tourists on permanent vacation, director Alexander Payne beautifully captures the cheer and gloom and the joys and sorrows, never losing focus of the movie's emotional beating core. Wearing over-sized Hawaiian floral shirts, George Clooney shines as Matt, tracing the transformation from being a back-up parent to a doting dad with a restrained and glowing performance. Among the others, Shailene as the intractable teenager, Nick Krause as Alex's male friend and Robert Forster as Matt's petulant father-in-law get their acts well and add more depth and humour to the proceedings.
Breathtakingly capturing the islands of Hawaii and laden with humour and heart-breaking moments, Payne tremendously succeeds in portraying the life of a middle-aged protagonist, who, after losing touch with his family and his land (read nature), tries to reconnect with them. The Descendants is beyond doubt a movie that perfectly weaves together the imperfections of humanity. A must watch!