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A heartfelt look into fatherhood in trying times with George Clooney’s best acting. Alexander Payne’s indie comedy-drama The Descendants (2011) is a beautifully made film with plenty to laugh along with while you cry during the dramatic segments. Payne will make you face the hard reality of coping with loved ones dying with his humanistic filmmaking. Alexander Payne is an auteur with a very grounded style centered around realism in how his actors express emotions and deal with pain. It’s amazing how Payne balances heavy drama with clever humor without feeling dismissive of that agony. The Descendants adapts Kaui Hart Hemmings’ novel with exceptional writing from Payne himself. Every line of dialogue is carefully thought out to express a father’s insecurity or his family suffering. The Descendants is simply a marvelous depiction of genuine uncertainty and anguish through the movie family’s grief. George Clooney delivers the finest acting of his career in his leading role as Matt King: the father figure to a dying wife who cheated on him and how he must cope with those facts. Clooney is so gentle and casually funny that you want to chuckle and cry along with his character’s emotional arc of acceptance. The way that Clooney portrays a grieving husband dealing with conflicted feelings all while trying to raise his two estranged daughters is captivating, hilarious, endearing, and sweet. George Clooney has never felt this raw and open. It’s really quite the feat for such a massive star to drop the facade of perfection and pour his heart out on screen with each nuanced face holding back tears or rage. I absolutely adore Shailene Woodley in The Descendants as Clooney’s daughter Alexandra King. You can tell she was going to be a star with her deep dramatic acting, expressive range, unforgettable charisma, devastating tears, and natural beauty. She is truly gorgeous and really touching as a troubled teenager struggling with drug addiction, estranged parents, her mother’s infidelity and death, and uncertain future. She is one of the best actresses at crying and giving heartfelt monologues to characters in earnest and intimate moments. Shailene Woodley acts on par with George Clooney at his peak. That says it all. Amara Miller is excellent as the child actress playing Clooney’s youngest daughter Scottie King. Her playful nature is as fun as she is devastating depicting an innocent girl watching her mother die. Her aura is drawn to Clooney, who comes across as very protective and caring for Miller. They have a sweet bond here in The Descendants. Nick Krause is hilarious as the dumb and earnest boyfriend to Woodley’s Alex named Sid. He gets several killer jokes in as well as a likable heart to heart scene with Clooney in a hotel at night. Robert Forster is so perfectly mean with his lack of understanding for Clooney’s perspective as Clooney’s father-in-law Scott Thorson. Beau Bridges is funny and intriguing as Cousin Hugh with his ulterior motives in his conversations with Clooney. Matthew Lillard is apt for the job of the despicable cheating husband and lecherous backdoor dealer for a massive investment. He really captures a desperate shoved into an uncomfortable situation in a finely tuned performance. I must mention that Judy Greer is wonderful as a nurturing mother and devoted wife named Julie Speer. I think she has very genuine chemistry with George Clooney and makes their scenes together special. Kevin Tent’s editing is very laid back as his rare cuts allow The Descendants to breathe within each scene. The Hawaii setting is gorgeous, especially as is demonstrated by Phedon Papamichael’s breathtaking cinematography. If The Descendants doesn’t make you want to visit Hawaii’s natural beauty, then I don’t know what will. The lush greenery is akin to Heaven as far as I can see. The roaring and gentle ocean waters look so calming and relaxing, you get lost in the stunning backdrop for The Descendants. All of the local island music is wondrous as you really get into the laid back vibe of Hawaii. Jane Ann Stewart’s production design crafts each home to appear sincerely lived in by these movie families. In all, Alexander Payne directs his most heartfelt and authentic film with The Descendants. His fantastic script is well met by an outstanding cast led by a phenomenal performance from George Clooney in his most poignant and intimate persona.Read full review
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This would have been a much better movie without the foul language. The "F" bomb does NOT add to the story and makes what should have been a family story a strictly adult movie. The foul language simply was NOT necessary. The story itself was strong and emotional enough. Very disappointing.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It was a good film, a new story, lovely setting, well acted, but I didn't think it was monumental. Just good entertainment, satisfying but not overly impressive. Film of the year, I don't think so, just wasn't that gripping. But I liked it. Clooney is very much himself in this film, and those who love him will get their fill. The really interesting story lies between the daughter and her friend who's a boy. Finding out your [nearly] dead wife was cheating on you's been done. But the friendship, and goings on among the bit players are the real gems of this film. You wouldn't get to meet them without Clooney's character. So there it is, watch it, see what you think. I enjoyed it. Cheers and Blessings, Max Rainet. **If you found this information at all helpful, please take a moment to select the "yes" button below. The more people that select the "yes" button, the better the chance this REVIEW is seen by more eBay members.Read full review
I love this story and the characters are brought to life so well by the acters that played them. It was only after seeing this movie i began to like George Clooney. I know, crazy but true. The book was amazing the movie was amazing, buy it! Thats all i can say.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This film has it all. A tragic story, beautiful scenery, great acting and at lot of humor. It's a film I can watch repeatedly which is why I chose to get it on Blu Ray. If you have any interest in Hawaii you will likely enjoy this film, a lot.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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