The Descendants: Feb 2012

George Clooney is not normally cast as a family man. His suave and sophisticated manner means he is rarely out of his comfort zone when in front of the camera. However, his portrayal of Matt King, a struggling father who is estranged from his children after his wife's accident, is a step forward in his glittering career.

This is the first film Alexander Payne has directed since his Oscar winning Sideways in 2004. His latest offering has proved just as successful, nominated for five Oscar's including Best Actor and Best Director.

The film opens with a woman waterskiing, hair thrown back by the wind and a smile as bright as the glittering water. Is there a sight that suggests impending doom more effectively? The shot fades into darkness.

Elizabeth King spends the rest of the film in a comatose state, her condition gradually worsening, whilst life continues around her. It is her husband that has to deal alone with the problems she left behind.

Matt's extended family stretch back to Hawaiian royalty and much of the film centers about his impending decision to sell the land he has inherited. Its entanglement with his family issues and Elizabeth's affair with an estate agent make for a film of sadness and soul searching.

Matt's two daughters, Scottie (Amara Miller) and Alex (Shailene Woodley) test their father's untried parenting skills but the family's unity in the face of loss is convincing from start to end. The fact that they begin the film as outsiders to their own home lives mean Sid's (Nick Krause) inclusion is effective and subtler than initially noted. His conversation with Matt where he describes his father's death shows a sensitivity that before went unnoticed.

Matt's reaction when discovering Elizabeth's adulterous ways is effective and characterizes Clooney perfectly. His brown eyes show sadness and an inward fury that he doesn't reveal until faced with his unresponsive wife. His journey to find his wife's lover is his redemption and his final goodbye brings a tear to the eye.

The ambiguous ending means not everything is answered as the film closes. Matt, his daughters and Sid look over the bay and the land that they have chosen to keep. The purity of the sight shows that the family is coming to terms with reality and a more stable future awaits.

(Dir. Alexander Payne)

By Luke Lambert