1. A Review of The Descendants
By Patrick McGerr, OBGYN
In Alexander Payne’s The Descendants, George Clooney plays a Hawaiian real estate
lawyer handling an important business deal for his extended family, while his comatose
wife is a few days away from death. This is complicated when he learns that his wife
was less than faithful in the time leading up to her accident.
Unlike pretty much every other movie set in Hawaii, The Descendants largely resists the
urge to be a non-stop showcase of the islands’ fantastic beaches and environment. By
doing so, director Alexander Payne sets the film apart immediately, opting to show
more everyday scenes of Hawaii, while letting the natural beauty of the island inhabit
the background. This adds a level of authenticity that is greatly appreciated. Of course,
Payne does throw in the incredible vista or two, but their overall scarcity adds to their
value. Payne’s directing is essential to the film’s success, excellently staging each scene.
On the whole, the movie is not let down in the acting department. Much has been made
of George Clooney’s Golden Globe winning role, and perhaps rightly so. Despite a role
that largely kicks Clooney out of his comfort zone of suaveness and charm, he still
delivers an excellent, nuanced performance. Shailene Woodley puts in a good turn as
his rebellious daughter. Nick Krause delivers a solid performance as Woodley’s
somewhat dimwitted companion. In a role that could have been grating and pointless,
Krause manages to give it some depth and meaning.
The Descendants sometimes struggles to find a distinct tone, switching from comedy to
darker drama. Though it explores the dynamics of family and grief, the film doesn’t
delve into them as deeply as it might have. Having said that, The Descendants tells an
original story in an interesting way. Even though many of the characters are prosperous
people living in one of the most beautiful places in the world, they have problems just
the same.
The Descendants is a good film that succeeds thanks to its director, location, and premise.
I give it a B+.