The Descendants
Directed by: Alexander Payne
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller
Rated: R for language including some sexual references
Perhaps the most unassuming of critically acclaimed films this year is Alexander Payne’s The Descendants, a dark comedy that lacks any real flare but is deeply personal and internal. The film is really more of a character study of Matt King (a brilliant George Clooney), who despite living in the paradise of Hawaii is in the midst of a personal hell; his wife, whom he is currently at odds with, is not only in a coma after a brief boating accident, but was also evidently having an affair. The physical, psychological, and emotional toll this turn of events takes on Clooney is actually the plot of the film; he struggles to figure out how to respond to it all, as well as trying to figure out how to raise his daughters, the eldest of whom knows about her mother's infidelity. As cruel as this may sound, it is truly fascinating to see King and his daughter Alexandra (an Oscar-worthy performance from Shailene Woodley) balance this teeter-totter of emotions towards their wife/mother that at one moment demand sympathy for her and then anger and betrayal at the next. It’s not only believable, but something we start to empathize with; we want Matt’s wife to wake up so they can work things out as much as to have her see the grief that her choices have caused. But, it is through this subtle connection with him that Payne works his magic, making the brilliant ending as emotional for us as it is for the King family. The Descendants may not be paradise, but it is as close to perfect as they come.
Directed by: Alexander Payne
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller
Rated: R for language including some sexual references
Perhaps the most unassuming of critically acclaimed films this year is Alexander Payne’s The Descendants, a dark comedy that lacks any real flare but is deeply personal and internal. The film is really more of a character study of Matt King (a brilliant George Clooney), who despite living in the paradise of Hawaii is in the midst of a personal hell; his wife, whom he is currently at odds with, is not only in a coma after a brief boating accident, but was also evidently having an affair. The physical, psychological, and emotional toll this turn of events takes on Clooney is actually the plot of the film; he struggles to figure out how to respond to it all, as well as trying to figure out how to raise his daughters, the eldest of whom knows about her mother's infidelity. As cruel as this may sound, it is truly fascinating to see King and his daughter Alexandra (an Oscar-worthy performance from Shailene Woodley) balance this teeter-totter of emotions towards their wife/mother that at one moment demand sympathy for her and then anger and betrayal at the next. It’s not only believable, but something we start to empathize with; we want Matt’s wife to wake up so they can work things out as much as to have her see the grief that her choices have caused. But, it is through this subtle connection with him that Payne works his magic, making the brilliant ending as emotional for us as it is for the King family. The Descendants may not be paradise, but it is as close to perfect as they come. 
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