Movie Review: The Descendants

Release Date: 11/18/2011

Rate: R
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
Genres: Comedy/Drama
Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Judy Greer, and Beau Bridges
Director: Alexander Payne.

The movie “The Descendants” opened with such understated energy and honesty it made you sit up. The message was surprising and showed the hard, unpolished edges of Hawaii and revealed often hidden images of despair, homelessness, and examples of human wreckage. It was stark, unedited and real. This close-up view of Hawaii ’s sordid underbelly flew in the face of the ideal of paradise, and reminded us of our commonality with the rest of America . The only difference was the omniscient beauty which pervaded nearly every scene.

Suddenly, these unpleasant images disappeared. Speaking frankly, it was an attempt to whitewash Hawaii . Surprisingly, in a state dominated by a multiplicity of cultures, none were in the forefront or part of the background or landscape for that matter and the movie failed to represent. It refused to mirror what most people look like here, which says without saying: Hawaii is finding new inspiration to attract a select demographic. In a strict sense it was an expensive “Visit Hawaii” campaign using the face of Clooney, and he never looked better. His character although partly out of touch was also transcendent because most land speculators, and/or attorneys bypass the heart. It was his compassion that was the second part of the film’s value. The first part leapt off the screen.

The movie also featured a third message deftly portrayed by Clooney’s deeply conflicted oldest daughter. Her rebellious behavior disconnected her from her father who was clearly in the dark about another truth. Her defiance demonstrated at the boarding school was explained in three words: “What’s happening dad?” There was also comic relief, and intelligence asking the viewer to look beneath the surface. The hospital scenes were effectively real and didn’t tell you how to feel. The performances and the skillful touches added by the director connected nonverbally, i.e. underwater anguish, tender kisses, unheard whispers from the father to daughter–­or a downward motion symbolizing death.

Is it a film I would recommend? Yes, because power is something that kills, divides, and corrupts unless it is used in the highest and best way. And love is the power that heals.