George Clooney’s Matt King stands on majestic hill crest with his daughters Alex (Shailene Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller) as they overlook the pristine blue Kauai beach cove which is part of the Hawaiian Lands Trust governed by Matt. Matt confesses, “Everything has its time.”
Writer and Director Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” is funny, poignant, and life-affirming eloquence. George Clooney is awesome, giving his best performance, ever. As Matt, he is powerful and courageous, baring such raw emotion with characteristic charm, and striking authentic humanity. There is a scene where a tear streams down Clooney’s cheek as he tells his wife, “Goodbye,” that had me in tears.
Clooney deserved Best Actor for his heartfelt and inspiring performance. Shailene Woodley is amazing as Alex. She is so natural and strong. Her partnership with Clooney, along with Alexander Payne’s brilliantly restrained direction makes “The Descendants” very special.
“The Descendants” distinguishes Alexander Payne’s return to the movies since his “Sideways”. Payne wrote the screenplay along with Nat Faxon and Jim Rash based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings. Hemmings also appears as Matt’s secretary. There are other great local touches. Surfer legend Laird Hamilton has a key role. My friend Jon’s Mom’s house is on screen as Matt and Alex drive through Diamond Head. The movie trailer does not do justice to the depth and richness of “The Descendants”. In fact not until you watch the movie does it become transparent the significance of the title. Payne’s “The Descendants” is funny, sad, and inspiring—like life.
George Clooney plays Honolulu transactional law attorney Matt King. Matt is the sole Trustee of the family Hawaiian Lands Estate that dates back to the Kamehameha monarchy. Matt diligently manages the sale of the Estate before the Trust expires in 7 years, looking to broker the optimum deal for his numerous cousins. Matt is earnest and dedicated, not exploiting any trust money, choosing to live off his income as a successful attorney. Tragedy strikes. Matt’s wife Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie) is in a coma following a boating accident. Matt doesn’t really know his daughters 10 year-old Scottie (Miller) and 17 year-old Alex (Woodley), admitting “I’m the backup parent.” Scottie is not coping well with her Mom’s crisis sending a bullying text to her friend. Matt and Scottie retrieve older sister Alex on the Big Island where she is attending a special school to deal with her drug addiction, something she may have inherited with her Mom. They find Alex not high, but drunk.
Elizabeth’s doctor tells Matt that his wife will not recover from the coma. Her will instructs the termination of life support—she will die. Painfully, Matt tells Alex her Mom’s fate. Woodley is sublime as she literally submerges into tragic despair. Later tearful Alex unloads emotional bombshell, “Mom was cheating on you.” Clooney is amazing as the look on his face transforms from disbelief to sheer despair and anger, peeling down the road in his rubber slippers. Payne always balances the paradox with panic and humor.
First order of business: Matt must tell his disapproving Father-in-Law Scott (strong unforgiving Robert Forster) about Elizabeth. Scott’s wife suffers from Alzheimer’s. From Scott’s point of view Elizabeth was the perfect faithful wife, who deserved a better lifestyle from Matt. Matt and Alex determine that the other man is real estate broker Brian Speer (selfish Matthew Lillard). The King’s along with Alex’s ex-Punahou classmate Sid (stoner charming Nick Krause) in tow head off to Kauai to search for Brian. Sid is an apparent goof, who Matt tells “You are a 100 miles from smart.” However, Payne generously distinguishes that the people in your life will often surprise you with their greatness—their innate nobility and compassion. Forster and Krause display their quiet heroic best. Also surprising is Judy Greer as Brian’s wife Julie—comedic and dramatic genius. Amara Miller is so great in a heart-wrenching moment as the hospital doctor tells her about her Mom. Everything in “The Descendants” feels true and just so.
Everything has its time. In “The Descendants” life happens and life goes on.
The highest praise for Clooney: He would make a great Dad. At narrative arc, his Matt tells Cousin Hugh (laid back Beau Bridges), “Just trying to keep my head above water.” Matt doesn’t always know what to do, and Clooney makes this work embodying his courage and compassion. The last scene of “The Descendants” is eloquence beyond words.
Life goes on. Love those who are dear to you. “The Descendants” poignantly reminds us of this.
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