The Descendants: George Clooney Leads a Family at a Crossroads

The Descendants is the new film from Oscar-winning writer director Alexander Payne. George Clooney plays Matt King, a man at a crossroads in his life.  At the start of the film, he finds out that his wife has suffered severe brain damage as a result of a boating accident.  On life support, she is given little chance for survival.  We find out that their relationship was going through some rough times prior to the accident.  King then learns some secrets about his wife that have a major effect on how he might come to terms with her inevitable demise.  It's an interesting twist that takes the story out of the typical conventions of a melodramatic film.

Payne knows how to develop and depict the characters in his scripts. He infuses them with multi dimensions and an ample amount of humor.  Clooney's character has two children, one a teenaged girl named Alexandra who has just started relationship with a boy named Sid.  He offers lightness to counter the potentially bleak nature of the situation.  He's brash and innocently caustic, making all sorts of inappropriate comments to the family.  He's a character that is definitely a part of the world Payne traditionally creates.  In fact, the film has a similar feel to his About Schmidt and Sideways.  All three might be deemed “dramedies” and feature colorful characters on life changing road trips.  In this case, we're talking a few road trips through Hawaii. 

Interestingly, Payne doesn't depict the state as glamorous or beach filled.  His is a cloud-ridden, chili Hawaii.  This choice certainly lends itself to the film’s themes and also suggests that no matter we go we can't escape life's various unpleasant surprises and revelations.
 
Clooney is great as King, if a bit predictable.  He has developed into a very reliable actor that can embody just about any character and make them feel relatable to the rest of us.  The other actors are fine too, especially Judy Greer playing the wife of a man who plays a significant role in King’s wife's secret life.

In the end, The Descendants is a very effective, often surprising family drama. If some of the later scenes seem a bit drawn out, they don't take away from the fine writing, directing, and acting throughout the film.  This one has some strong Oscar potential.