The Descendants (2011):

Starring:

George Clooney - Matt King

Shailene Woodley - Alexandra King

Amara Miller - Scottie King

Nick Krause - Sid

Patricia Hastie - Elizabeth King

Beau Bridges - Cousin Hugh

Matt Corboy - Cousin Ralph

Mary Birdsong - Kai Mitchell

Rob Huebel - Mark Mitchell

Robert Forster - Scott Thorson

Matthew Lillard - Brian Speer

Judy Greer - Julie Speer

Director:

Alexander Payne (Sideways; About Schmidt; Election)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

Flixster: 80%

Synopsis:

"The Descendants" is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off Waikiki.

Review:

This makes 4 out of 9 movies that were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture that I have seen now. A very emotional roller coaster that takes you up & down, back & forth all film. I personally found however that because of the comedic aspects throughout the film that it was hard to really connect with the characters as they went through the emotional journey. I don't know how George Clooney isn't considered one of the greatest actors of all time. The man makes a movie, it gets nominated for several Academy Awards every year. (I Guess he'd be considered the best if he was winning every year). He's at his usual level of both comedic timing with his over powering anger, pain & emptiness as his world unravels & he is forced to become the soul parent & help his children to deal with their tragedy while also hiding his anger towards his wife from his youngest daughter. By the way Shailene Woodley is A TOTAL BABE! WOW!

84%

Lead Acting: 15/15
Supporting Cast: 14/15
Plot: 8/10
Compared To The Genre: 8/10
Cinematography: 16/20
Intrigue: 15/20
Extra: 8/10