Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Alexander Payne, 20th Century Fox, M 115 Minutes.
Award winning actor and director George Clooney (‘The Ides of March’) won the 2012 Golden Globe for his performance as a distressed husband in this compelling family drama helmed by Alexander Payne, director and Oscar winner for ‘The Descendants’.
Clooney plays Matt King a workaholic husband and father seriously concerned for his comatose wife Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie) following a boating accident besides caring for his dysfunctional and estranged daughters Alex (Shailene Woodley – ‘Divergent’) and Scottie (Amara Miller).
As matters worsen for Matt-a real estate mogul in the midst of selling his family’s highly-prized Hawaiian property handed down from Hawaiian royalty-he is suddenly told by Alex of Elizabeth’s infidelity with realty broker Brian Speer (Matthew Lillard – ‘Messages Deleted’).
It is at this point that the depth of Matt’s anger and frustration is revealed as he tries at this time to develop a much closer relationship with both of his daughters.
This is further exacerbated as Matt seeks to appease his closest relative and cousin Hugh (Beau Bridges – Max Payne) who is desperate for Matt to sell his prized possession in Hawaii.
When Matt is told that his wife is not going to make it, he and his daughters locate Speer at his holiday home engaging him and his wife Julie (Judy Greer – ‘Jurassic World’) in what becomes a sensitive exchange.
With Elizabeth’s passing Matt decides against selling his Hawaiian estate much to the considerable dissatisfaction of Hugh and his other cousins and instead spends more time in looking after his daughters Alex and Scottie.
Payne’s emotion-filled movie (beautifully shot in Hawaii) goes beyond the betrayal aspects of this family drama, presenting a heartfelt and a sometimes humorous storyline with Clooney delivering his best performance of a lifetime since winning his Oscar in ‘Syriana’.
Apart from Clooney he is ably supported by a wonderful cast that includes Woodley’s pleasing portrayal of Alex not to mention that of her unusual boyfriend Sid played by Nick Krause (‘Boyhood’).
‘The Descendants’ is a thought-provoking movie about life, death and family relationships, generating a range of real life emotions overshadowed by a stand out performance from Clooney.
The Descendants is to be televised on Channel 7flix at 8.30PM On Friday 23 October
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars
