> REVIEW
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The Descendants (2011)
Bring on the Payne…
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By Samuel Barnett | January 2012
DIRECTOR: Alexander Payne
WRITER(s): Alexander Payne/Nat Faxon/Jim Rash/Kaui Hart Hemmings (source)
Alexander Payne and George Clooney’s high profile collaboration on The Descendants has jumped straight into the centre of the spotlight demanding attention from viewers, critics and the upcoming Oscar nominations.
Payne, directing his first film since the Oscar winning Sideways (2004) stays true to his previous efforts, focusing on the trials and tribulations of a middle class family struggling with a life changing tragedy.
Upon hearing that his wife has been involved in a boating accident Matt King (Clooney), a descendant from an aristocratic family in Hawaii, discovers she may never wake up from the resulting coma. Preparing for the worst, Matt attempts to rekindle the frayed relationship between himself and his disenfranchised and troubled young children. But events soon escalate when Matt discovers his wife has been cheating on him with high profile property salesman, Brian Speer (Matthew Lillard). Determined to confront him, Matt, with his estranged family in tow embarks on an emotional rollercoaster across Hawaii.
The main thread of the story is tightly written and engaging, as Payne successfully shifts between lightly humorous scenes and well delivered dramatic revelations. However, the same can’t be said for a rather heavy-handed sub-plot involving the sale of the family’s land; an obvious analogy for Matt’s family troubles, it weaves in and out of the main plotline without really adding anything to the tale.
But this is undeniably an actors film. George Clooney’s portrayal of Matt is both convincing and moving, effortlessly displaying the characteristics of a broken yet persistent middle aged man. The entire film hinged upon his performance and Clooney has never been better than in the final act during a moment of painful catharsis. Shailene Woodley (Alexander King) also shines in her cinematic debut as Matt’s deeply troubled eldest daughter, even managing to upstage Clooney on more than one occasion as she bears the brunt of her father’s emotional turmoil.
Despite this it’s difficult to ignore the overwhelmingly familiar nature of the story; adapted from Kaui Hart Hemmings’ novel of the same name, it’s not particularly original (or edgy) in its content despite the morose subject matter, and the final sentiment “every cloud has a silver lining” (explicitly shown through imagery at the end) feels a little simplistic coming from a storyteller with Payne’s credentials.
Script…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Whilst lacking in originality, Payne provides engaging arcs as he sends his
characters on an emotionally satisfying journey. 3
Direction………………………………………………………………………………………..
Payne directs with his usual sense of restraint, yet takes advantage of his setting
with beautiful panoramic shots fused with some impressive editing. 4
Verdict…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Ok, it’s no Sidways, but this is still a commendable family drama with
outstanding central performances from Clooney and Woodley. 3
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