The Descendants

Alexander Payne is back and it was worth the 5 year wait. "The Descendants" just may be his best film, which includes such work as "Sideways", "About Schmidt" and "Election" (my favorite). There are few directors that can effectively tell a grieving story of a family dealing with a loss and is able to interact with humor. Some critics are comparing Payne with Preston Sturges.

We follow Matt (George Clooney) as an estranged husband whose wife has been lying in the hospital with a coma. And his two daughters who he's alienated from. This beautifully written script leads to loss, forgiveness and redemption.


Mr. Clooney offers one of his best performances. Hopefully, any comparison with Gary Grant will be forever done with. Imo...Mr. Clooney is a superior actor. I might add the cast is also the best I've seen this year. The Actors Guild should award this ensemble of actors, lead by Robert Forester, Judy Greer, and the two girls who plays his daughters (Woodley and Miller)


Last year most movie fans eventually watched "The King's Speech". This year it should be "The Descendants", as a must see film.


I expect the film to receive Oscar nominations under the five (5) major categories


5/5 Stars



Jack