Filmmaker Alexander Payne has proven himself a seasoned veteran at tip toeing the line between comedy and tragedy. Whereas most Hollywood dramedies often fall victim to excessively syrupy third acts, Payne's films-from the senior-citizen road-flick "About Schmidt" to the coming-of-middle-age tale "Sideways"-are as melancholy and telling of the human condition as they are bleakly hilarious. His newest, "The Descendants," is yet another solid dramedy that will surely see its share of awards recognition come Oscar season.
Adapted from Kaui Hart Hemmings' 2008 novel, "The Descendants" follows the life of Matt King (George Clooney) -a rich Hawaiian lawyer whose life has gone completely to pieces. His wife is in a coma due to a horrific jet skiing accident. As a result, both of his daughters are acting up in school and getting into all sorts of trouble. This turmoil is happening right as King is about to sell his family's pristine Kauai'i acreage (an heirloom passed on through multiple generations of the King clan) to land developers.
If you're a Clooney fan, then "The Descendants" is a definite must-see. Payne has a penchant for bringing out the very best in his leading men (Jack Nicholson in "Schmidt," Matthew Broderick in "Election"), and Clooney's comic timing is flawless. While Clooney supplies many of the movie's laughs with impeccable deadpan delivery, his character's despair also radiates from the screen. King is a sharply realized personality defined by his nuance and human inconsistency; it's a hell of a role that will very likely win the versatile Clooney his first ever Academy Award for acting.
As is the case with all of Payne's work, the screenplay calls for a number of very colorful characters, each with their own fleshed-out idiosyncrasies. The supporting cast does an excellent job; of particular note is Shailene Woodley's breakout part as Clooney's trash-talking teen daughter. Woodley showcases some serious chops and there is no question that she has a bright future in Hollywood. The film also features juicy bit performances from veteran actor Robert Forster and former teen star Matthew Lillard. It was a pleasant surprise to see that Lillard can actually pull off a character that isn't some derivative Shaggy (of the wretched "Scooby-Doo" film remakes).
Unfortunately, a couple of significant faults prevent The Descendants from reaching the same level of quality as Payne's previous efforts. While the film generally does a commendable job of handling the dramatic without venturing into mushy territory, there are some scenes towards the end that are overly emotional and annoyingly didactic. The movie's most glaring drawback, however, comes from a conclusion that feels flown-in and predictable.
If you're expecting the Payne from "The Descendants" to be vintage, then you will likely be disappointed. The film is Payne's most commercial, audience-friendly effort to date. Even though "The Descendants" isn't perfect, the thoughtful screenplay and top-notch acting secure its standing as one of the best films of 2011.
Grade: B+
