The Descendants
Review by Sean Lynch
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The Descendants
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Alexander Payne has a knack for creating thoughtful, dramatic and unique moments 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 he has on offer.
Set
in beautiful Hawaii (a destination usually kept for Adam Sandler
movies) 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. The Descendants has
been making plenty of waves in the world of awards, and while the award
wins are not totally without merit, it's hard to say with 100%
conviction that it's truly worth all of the praise it's recieveing.
Clooney,
without question, delivers an excellent performance. With the simplest
and most subtle of facial movements, the most desirable man on the
plant 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 midday made-for-TV movie.
Don't
get me wrong - the film 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 "Film Of The Year" tags...
prepare to be underwhelmed.
3.5 out
of 5
The Descendants
Australian release: 12th December,
2011
Official
Site: The Descendants
Cast: George Clooney, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, Shailene Woodley, Beau Bridges
Director: Alexander Payne
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