Movie - The Descendants

ATTENTION: MOVIE SPOILERS INCLUDED!! DON’T READ THIS IF YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO THE THEATRE TO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

The Descendants

December 31 2011

My last movie of 2011! Well unless I somehow talk my hubby into watching another one tonight, but even I am not that good.

My opinion:

3 out of 5 bags of popcorn for the overall movie

2.5 out of 5 boxes of milk duds for my personal entertainment

My suggestion: Wait for the DVD

The gist: This is a story about a seemingly workaholic out of touch Dad (played by George Clooney) trying to build relationships with his 17 and 10 year old daughters after his wife is in an accident that leaves her in a coma. He is tasked with trying to break the news to his children and holding his family together. No small feat. The oldest daughter is a rebel, and quite cynical and the youngest daughter is a confused girl trying to find her way. As the story unfolds, he is confronted with the fact that his wife was having an affair with a sleazy, married, real estate agent. His oldest daughter knew all about this which made for an interesting spin on their relationship and her relationship with her Mom. He struggles with the decision to confront the other man and out him to his wife. To make his life even more hectic, he is also in the middle of a very important land sale deal which will affect his HUGE Hawaiian family.

My thoughts: I am floored that this movie was nominated for 5 golden globes including best picture. That blew me away given all the wonderful movies that were out this year. This is not a feel good movie; it is sad 95% of the time with a couple of comedic additions. That doesn’t mean it can’t be great, it just wasn’t. The best part of the story, in my opinion, was the plot involving chasing after the man the dying wife was having an affair with, his name was Brian Speer. Even I hated Brian Speer by the time we met him. He was played by Matthew Lillard the guy from Scream (that is how I know him best) He plays a jerk really well! I also enjoyed the part about the selling of the land on Kauai, but you knew about halfway through the movie what was going to happen with that. The scenery was spectacular, how could it not be, it was Hawaii!

I definitely think that the best performance of this movie was given by Shailene Woodley (she plays 17 year old Alexandra King). I absolutely loved her. My take on her is that she is a bit Mischa Barton-esque…..meaning she is absolutely gorgeous and kinda awkward. She was right on cue with her entire performance. George Clooney was good…..nothing spectacular in my opinion but he did bring a real life feel to his character. Another highlight was Nick Krause (he plays Sid one of Alexandra’s friends) and also Amara Miller (she plays Scottie King). Basically I am saying the casting was awesome, but to me the movie fell flat.

I guess the morale of the movie is supposed to be that we don’t know what we’ve got ‘till it’s gone. In the end it seems everyone learns to forgive and a little revenge is sometimes good. All good things, I just didn’t enjoy the way they were portrayed.

Usually I am a fan of George Clooney movies and certainly of movies nominated for 5 Golden Globes. Maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to see this movie, or maybe I just disagree with the critics on this one. Let me know what you think, or take my advice and wait for the DVD.