The Descendants (Blu-ray) (2011)

I've enjoyed Alexander Payne's films (Sideways, Election, etc.) so I picked this up even though I am generally over-saturated with George Clooney at this point. Here, he plays the dad who is coping with his wife in a coma and his 10 and 17 yr old daughters in Hawaii where they live (and are descendants of the original indigenous royalty). Payne keeps things gently rolling (or is that the Hawaiian music?) and Clooney provides a very low-key almost one-note performance (perhaps too low-key?). I did feel a few times that I was watching something meant to be therapeutic, as the script investigated the characters' relationships to each other and exposed their general humanness. But eventually I was won over, probably by the Ozu-like interludes that allow for (but do not demand) reflection and the not entirely predictable course of action.

Great emotional movie. 7/10

This movie is like a lobotomy; if you weren't bored in the beginning, you will be by the end. Terrible.

A real feel good movie! George Clooney at his best!!

An outstanding,realisitc drama, well acted and filmed - and very touching

I enjoyed this film and some of the experiences in the film connected with me personally. Unfortunately, it was being rich and living in the Hawaiian Islands and luckily, my spouse wasn't cheating on me. This film was a warm bath of an emotional ride but way too shallow for the topics it picked up. I found myself very concerned that the youngest daughter was practically ignored although in real life it is likely to be the unmaking of her (and to be fair in one line the Clooney character picks up on that). Just once I wish that american movie makers would be brave enough to face the topics of premature death on famlies without the safety-net of characters who are in the upper or middle insured classes. I guess no one would want to pay to watch it but i might be closer to that "realism". The Hawaiian story and scenery was beautiful and definitely a big screen effect (and to be fair again the narrator at the start makes a valid point about tragedy in paradise).

Geroge and Shaili make this movie but everyone is good in a family drama with some great twists

Brilliant movie, one minute you laugh, the next you cry. Such a real emotional movie. Awesome acting by George Clooney and the eldest daughter. Couldn't stop thinking about this movie for days after watching it.

a nice movie.

very good movie but slow, more suitable for women