THE DESCENDANTS directed by Alexander Payne (USA, 2011)
Dad & daughter : Matt + Alex (George Clooney and Shailene Woodley)
This movie has won over most American critics and also looks likely to win George Clooney an Oscar for his role as affluent property lawyer, Matt King.
But while it’s a warm-hearted, highly watchable film, it is far from being the classic it’s made out to be.
As a mid-life crisis movie it is not in the same league as Payne’s earlier films (Sideways + About Schmidt) and I tend to agree with one of the dissenting critics, Rex Reed of The New York Observer, who described in as “a soap opera with Hawaiian shirts”.
I also hated the soundtrack of Hawaiian music which is at best mildly irritating and at worst a major intrusion.
The story is of a lost,and soon to be lone, parent confronted by pressing life choices.
Matt’s wife, Liz, has had a motorboat accident and she is now in a coma with no realistic hope of recovery. As a result, Matt has the full charge of his daughters Scotty and Alex aged 10 and 17. This is a big responsibility and a major headache since both girls are wayward, rebellious and practically unmanageable. His problems are compounded by the fact that Alex’s boyfriend Sid comes over as a stoner nerd from hell. Continue reading
