The Descendants thrusts us into the life of Matt King (George Clooney), a lawyer and inherited land baron living in Hawaii who must take over the care of his two young daughters after a boating accident leaves his wife in a coma. Matt, the so-called 'back up parent' struggles with his new solo parent duties as he deals with the forced sell of a large area of pristine and unspoiled land passed down to him from several family generations.
Alexander Payne is a proved master in telling realistic human stories that showcase superb drama and subtle comedy that never seem to miss a beat as seen in his past films Sideways and About Schmidt. The Descendants is no different. The film has a way of making you laugh, then tear up within seconds.
Clooney is a stand out as Matt King revealing hints of overwhelming sadness, but hiding it from his daughters (Woodley & Amara Miller). Woodley, best known for her role on TV's The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a revelation as the wild daughter sent away to private school for drugs. Amara Miller steals several scenes as the youngest daughter Scottie, who finds acting out and text bullying an over weight girl at school as the best way to deal with her mother's condition.
Nick Krause, Robert Forster, Matthew Lillard, Beau Bridges & Judy Greer all deliver knock out punches in the tiniest spaces. The Descendants is pitch perfect and should find itself among the Best Picture race this coming Oscar season.
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Alexander Payne is a proved master in telling realistic human stories that showcase superb drama and subtle comedy that never seem to miss a beat as seen in his past films Sideways and About Schmidt. The Descendants is no different. The film has a way of making you laugh, then tear up within seconds.
Clooney is a stand out as Matt King revealing hints of overwhelming sadness, but hiding it from his daughters (Woodley & Amara Miller). Woodley, best known for her role on TV's The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a revelation as the wild daughter sent away to private school for drugs. Amara Miller steals several scenes as the youngest daughter Scottie, who finds acting out and text bullying an over weight girl at school as the best way to deal with her mother's condition.
Nick Krause, Robert Forster, Matthew Lillard, Beau Bridges & Judy Greer all deliver knock out punches in the tiniest spaces. The Descendants is pitch perfect and should find itself among the Best Picture race this coming Oscar season.
For more quick reviews check out www.FilmStallion.com