The Descendants

Review by Sean Lynch

Set in beautiful Hawaii (a destination Adam Sandler has made his second movie based home) The Descendants is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney) an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. 

The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family’s land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.

Alexander Payne has a knack for creating thoughtful, dramatic and unique vehicles for well established stars. 

Whether it's the simple muttering of "Dear Endugu" from Nicholson in About Schmidt or Clooney looking into the Hawaiian sun with a broken heart in The Descendants - he knows really knows how to make the most of what his cast have on offer.

Clooney, without question, delivers an excellent performance.

With the simplest and most subtle of facial movements, the most desirable man on the planet somehow manages to encapsulate the heartbreak, anger and fear which is thrust upon his character.

That said, the script is quite basic, aiming for some very easy heart string targets. In fact, had Growing Pains' Kirk Cameron been cast instead of Clooney, The Descendants is only one keyboard synthisised musical score off from being a made-for-TV movie.

Don't get me wrong - The Descendants works on many levels, is thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing (thanks to Clooney's unmistakable on screen charisma and vulnerability) and will most certainly squeeze a tear or two out of it's audience.

However, when it comes to the "Film Of The Year" tags that were thrown about at Oscar time... prepare to be underwhelmed.

DVD & Blu Ray Special Features

• Everybody Loves George

• Working with Alexander

• Hawaiian Style

• Deleted Scenes with introductions by the director

• Everybody Loves George

• Working with Alexander

• The Real Descendants

• Hawaiian Style

• Casting

• Working with Water

• Music Videos (Will I Ever See You Again, Postcards from Paradise, Honolulu's Whisper)

• Waiting for the Light

• The World Parade - Hawaii (Silent Film)

• A Conversation with George Clooney and Alexander Payne

• Digital Copy of the Film

Conclusion: Movie 75% Extras: 70%