The Descendants

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BadNews R Going into The Descendants, I was told it was a comedy. But honestly, I didn’t feel that at all. What I experienced was a bittersweet, heartbreaking story that leaned much more into drama, with just the slightest touches of humor sprinkled throughout. It’s less a comedy and more an emotional family journey that’s both gut-wrenching and unexpectedly uplifting at times. George Clooney delivers one of the best performances of his career here. He plays Matt King, a father who is not only struggling with his wife being in a coma after a tragic accident but also discovering that she was cheating on him. To portray that kind of layered grief and betrayal while still having to keep it together for your kids is no easy task, yet Clooney handles it beautifully. His performance feels raw, vulnerable, and incredibly human. Shailene Woodley, playing his daughter Alexandra, also shines. This was one of her breakout roles, and it’s one of the few times I’ve really enjoyed her acting without distraction. She manages to capture the anger, confusion, and heartbreak of a daughter processing her mom’s impending death while also dealing with the painful secret her father uncovers. Matthew Lillard shows up in a role that is so different from what we’re used to seeing him in, and he nails it. For an actor mostly known for his comedic and over-the-top performances (Scooby-Doo, Scream), it was refreshing to see him handle a serious character. But given who his character is in the story, those scenes become gut-punches, and you can feel the weight Clooney’s character carries. And then there’s Judy Greer, who I absolutely adore. She’s always been one of those actresses who naturally leans comedic, often playing quirky or funny supporting roles. Here, though, she shows a different side. Even though her part isn’t massive, her presence is felt, and she delivers with a quiet strength. The script itself is tight, emotional, and well-structured. It doesn’t wander — it knows exactly what story it wants to tell and keeps the focus on the characters, their relationships, and the emotional fallout of this family crisis. The director, Alexander Payne, deserves credit for balancing the heartbreak with just enough levity to keep the film from becoming unbearably heavy. The humor comes in small doses, especially through Sid (Nick Krause), who is absolutely ridiculous. He’s kind of an idiot, but in a way that works. His cluelessness adds just enough comic relief to break up the tension, though sometimes it borders on being too dumb. Still, he plays his role in keeping the film from being all sadness, all the time. Overall, The Descendants is a really well-crafted film — emotional, grounded, and heartfelt. It might be marketed as a comedy, but don’t be fooled. It’s a touching family drama that explores grief, betrayal, forgiveness, and love in a very real way. It’s not the type of movie I’d revisit often, but it’s definitely worth watching at least once for the performances and the story it tells. Highly recommend for those who appreciate emotional, character-driven dramas. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/31/25 Full Review Richard M No comedy as RT says A family drama and tear jerker Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/10/25 Full Review Jordan O Incredibly real and heartfelt. George Clooney and Shailene Woodley’s performance is incredible and the father daughter dynamic feels original. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/29/25 Full Review Stephen L The Descendants is a strong but not quite exceptional entry in Alexander Payne’s filmography. George Clooney delivers a grounded performance, capturing the weary dignity of a man caught between grief, betrayal and reluctant responsibility. The Hawaiian setting adds a melancholic beauty to the story, though the film’s themes never cut as deeply as they seem to want to. The supporting cast is solid – Shailene Woodley’s performance stands out – but the film occasionally drifts into sentimentality or indie quirk. While it’s well made and emotionally restrained, it’s not as affecting as it might have been. Good, not great. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/22/25 Full Review Brian D 77%. 3/16/25 - 2nd watch. Just a very, simple, relatable story that with the amazing setting in Hawaii that makes it an enjoyable watch. The plot is sad with the Mom gets in a boating accident and in a coma and dying, the husband then discovers she was cheating on him and Clooney's character has to navigate all this with his two daughters. He's also the head of a trust for land their large family inherited and having to decide to sell and cash out and piss off the locals or hold onto the land. Sid, Shailene Woodley's friend that she has with her throughout the movie is very funny. Very light watch. 4/5 rewatch Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/17/25 Full Review B. S "The Descendants" is a poignant and subtly funny film about a flawed man navigating grief and family turmoil in Hawaii. George Clooney delivers a nuanced performance, and the film's blend of humor and pathos is both affecting and relatable. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/17/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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