The Descendants

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The Descendants

R

Released Nov 23, 2011

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

268 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Native islander Matt King (George Clooney) lives with his family in Hawaii. Their world shatters when a tragic accident leaves his wife in a coma. Not only must Matt struggle with the stipulation in his wife's will that she be allowed to die with dignity, but he also faces pressure from relatives to sell their family's enormous land trust. Angry and terrified at the same time, Matt tries to be a good father to his young daughters, as they too try to cope with their mother's possible death.

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Critics Consensus

Funny, moving, and beautifully acted, The Descendants captures the unpredictable messiness of life with eloquence and uncommon grace.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

I liked it. I enjoyed it. I did not resent the time I'd spent watching it, although that may just be because I seriously have nothing better to do.

Aug 31, 2018

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David Thomson

The New Republic

The Descendants is humane, decent, and close to real quality.

Jun 20, 2013

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Philip Kemp

Sight & Sound

The film plays to Payne's strengths - not just the emotional complexity and the constantly shifting kaleidoscope of moods, but his skill at eliciting in-depth performances from his cast.

Jan 31, 2012

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

There are moments throughout the film where characters need to speak their pace, whether that peace is good news, bad news, loving support, hurtful truth, assertiveness, or even the things you shouldn't say and, therefore, leave at peace.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

... The film stands out for exploring the human condition from the awkwardness - and at times humor - that extreme situations produce. The kind that family forces us to go through. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 10/10

Jan 2, 2024

Full Review

Danilo Castro

Next Best Picture

It’s the sort of resonant, mid-budget film that we see so rarely these days, and it’s a reminder that when Payne is at his peak, few directors are more skilled at depicting the paradox of human behavior.

Rated: 9/10

Jul 7, 2023

Full Review

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Faiz D

Moving, enjoyable, well-made movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

Full Review

Rosana B

Um drama familiar com algumas boas camadas, a mãe em coma, filhas adolescentes, pai ausente, agora desesperado (normal), traições, perdas, questionamentos, investigação, bem gostosinho de acompanhar, bem intimista, abordando as conturbadas relações familiares (adoro), um plot twist leve a cada virada dos atos. Clooney lindo e arrependido, os jovens rouba as cenas, amo, ótimos diálogos, quase constrangedor… Uma trama que, embora complexa, é abordada de forma leve, divertida e cativante...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/24

Full Review

Bryan B

the only movie I've seen where a teenage girl dives into a swimming pool and breaks out into tears underwater and (seemingly) screaming. very unique moment.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/24

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Debra B

This is an excellent movie. Highly recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

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Karla E

Excruciatingly dragged on. Regret my decision to watch.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Lillan S

It's tedious and stretches out way too long. The music is annoying. It wouldn't get on my nerves if there was just a few Hawaiian scores, but seriously, two hours of Hawaiian background music. Are we on an elevator in a Hawaiian department store? This script should have been way shorter and tightened. Clooney does a good job. As do the daughters and the daughter's friend.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

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Alexander Payne

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Synopsis

Native islander Matt King (George Clooney) lives with his family in Hawaii. Their world shatters when a tragic accident leaves his wife in a coma. Not only must Matt struggle with the stipulation in his wife's will that she be allowed to die with dignity, but he also faces pressure from relatives to sell their family's enormous land trust. Angry and terrified at the same time, Matt tries to be a good father to his young daughters, as they too try to cope with their mother's possible death.

Director: Alexander Payne
Producer: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Screenwriter: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Dune, Ad Hominem Enterprises, Ingenious Film Partners, Little Blair
Rating: R (Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $82.6M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby, SDDS

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