Title: The Descendants Director: Alexander Payne Starring: George Clooney Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Studio: Fox Searchlight Genre(s): Comedy Rated:       (For language including some sexual references)

CONSUMER ADVICE

Parents, there is fair amount of bad language but no sex or violence. Recommended for ages 15 and up.

Matt King (George Clooney) is in an unbearable situation in “The Descendants.” He has to take care of his daughters, his family, and a business deal after his wife was in a boating accident. The doctors have informed him that she will never wake up. This news would probably upset him more if he hadn't found out from his daughter that his wife was having an affair on him. What's more, he's about to sell some family land for millions of dollars, and the man who had the affair with his wife will profit greatly from it. So how is someone supposed to react to all this? The answer: On a case by case basis.

When he finds out about his wife's infidelity he shouts at one of her best friends for not informing him of the affair. When he talks to his wife's father though, he sits quietly as his father-in-law calls him a worthless husband and father, and then proceeds to punch his granddaughter's boyfriend. “The Descendants” may sound like a relentless drama, but it's actually a fun comedy. Yes, there are dramatic moments. But hindsight is 50/50. Matt is furious when he finds out his wife wasn't always faithful…but then; he was the first to admit he wasn't the best husband in the world. His oldest daughter seems like an out-of-control rebel, but she has legitimate reasons to be angry.

Her boyfriend might be an idiot but he has a good heart. It's the complications of life this movie finds its humor in. When Matt finds the man who had the affair with his wife, he goes to his house and (in a particularly funny thing) blackmails the man for information about the affair while pointing out he could very easily walk into the living room, talk to his wife, and screw up his life. I have to admit, Matt King is a better man then I would be in the same situation. He's always patient while he deals with several situations and several people that are enough to give any sane person a heart attack.

George Clooney gives one of the best performances of his career, making Matt funny, realistic, and likable. He's not a perfect man…but then, who is? The film was written and directed by Alexander Payne. This is the first film he's directed since the acclaimed “Sideways.” Many might not notice a good director in a film like this, but Payne understands people and situations better than most people I've seen. He takes unlikable people in unfunny situations and manages to find the joy in them (all while remaining stuck in reality). “The Descendants” is heartwarming and funny at the same time. It's a movie that knows life is tough sometimes, but it also knows life is worth living so long as you have family.

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