The Descendants (Fox Searchlight)
Rated R for language including some sexual references.
Starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Patricia Hastie, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer, Robert Forster.
Written by Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash, based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings.
Directed by Alexander Payne.
GRADE: A-
REVIEW:
There are many constants in life. Every few years or so, McDonald's rolls out the McRib, the swallows return to Capistrano, and Old Faithful is...well, mostly faithful. Another thing you can count on is Alexander Payne directing a pretty good 'dramedy' every few years or so. You can also count on Payne's films to focus on a desperate character who is driven to do inappropriate things as they deal with tragic situations; usually death and infidelity (Election, About Schmidt, Sideways). Payne's latest film The Descendants is no different, with similar quality and results.
George Clooney plays Matt King, a wealthy Hawaiian land baron whose wife lays in a coma after a boating accident. As Matt deals with the realization that he hasn't been a very good dad or husband, he also has to deal with the sale of a huge portion of his family's Hawaiian land inheritance. Through his oldest daughter Alex (Shailene Woodley), Matt discovers that his wife had been unfaithful to him, and he sets out on a quest to find the 'other man.'
In the meantime, Matt tries to reconnect with Alex and her little sister Scottie (Amara Miller), with little success. Both daughters have almost no respect for their dad, and use a lot of foul language in front of him. When Matt does track down his wife's lover (who has his own family), he is forced to decide whether he will blow his cover or be gracious.
The Descendants is an excellent film, even with all that tried-and-true Alexander Payne formula in place. I happen to like Payne's films, so to me, Descendants didn't disappoint, much like the McRib fan who can't wait for the next compressed barbeque meat wondersandwich to appear. The good news is that unlike the McRib, Payne's movies are much healthier and much more enjoyable.
As always, Payne's direction of some of the dark comedy elements in The Descendants works efficiently, and so do the performances of a talented cast, led by Clooney (who is a shoe-in best actor nominee). Some other notable performances go to Robert Forster as Matt's bitter father-in-law and Nick Krause as Alex's surfer-dude boyfriend. Their performances provide several moments that will make you laugh or cry, while forcing you to reevaluate your own family ties.
The Descendants is rated R for a decent portion of salty language (most of it uttered by the two daughters), so keep the kids home if you decide to see it.
