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Directed by the creator of the Oscar-winning SIDEWAYS, The Descendants starts when Matt King, a "back-up" father (his words) must slow down his career to take care of his two daughters (17 and 11) while his wife is in the hospital in a comma caused by a boat accident. Soon we learn, his wife, spurned by Matt's long absences and indifference, was having an affair. Matt and his older daughter decide to search for this man they never met dragging along the younger girl and the oldest girl's boyfriend, and, of course, the viewer. The Descendants has many things going for it. George Clooney, for one, beautiful views of two of the islands of Hawaii, a strong story that does not shy away from reality and avoids the sugarcoating so prevalent in Hollywood movies, and great acting from all the actors including the aforementioned Mr. Clooney. Yet, I cannot say I loved it. Why? Because it is a realistic take on fatherhood and marriage and, after watching the trailer, I expected something lighter. This is not the movie's fault. The Descendants is a serious movie and that's perfectly all right. I like serious movies. But not when I am expecting something else. So, now that you know, please go and enjoy. It's worth seeing. Just don't go for the laughs.
Posted by kenn
Was a good movie overall, I would definitely recommend this movie to another human.
This review is from The Descendants [Blu-ray] [2011]
Posted by TreeMan7352
Some actors simply show up for the check. Some slide on image. George Clooney is always watchable; even when he seems to be coasting. Then he'll knock a curve over the fence. You see the star billing but he reminds the audience that behind the Ocean's is a fine actor. He does have an Oscar after all. Clooney disappears in The Descendants . His portrayal of a clueless man shocked into reality by tragedy ,forced to reconnect with fatherhood & family responsibilities, is faultless. Ranking with The Perfect Storm, The American, Michael Clayton & The Ides of March. He's given stellar support by Shailene Woodley (Divergent) as his oldest, resentful daughter who must verbally slap him with the fact that the life he thought he knew never existed. Beau Bridges is on hand a greedy brother. And Judy Greer is moving as a wife whose life becomes ensnared with Clooney's family. Whether in front of the camera or behind as director (Good Night & Good Luck) or producer (Argo) George Clooney rarely disappoints. As for that check? He earns it, then quietly recycles it into positive projects.
This review is from The Descendants - DVD
Posted by Falcon66
Rating 3 out of 5 stars with 1 reviewfalse
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