Dueling reviews: The Descendants almost hits gold

Amusing yet moving, depressing yet hopeful, it is no wonder that The Descendants (2011) won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. It combines heartbreak with humor for a film that will having you laughing one minute and crying the next.

Matt King (George Clooney) is a rich land baron and lawyer who must re-examine his life after his wife Elizabeth is put in a coma due to a boating accident. A negligent husband and father, Matt must now connect with his two daughters, Scottie and Alexandra. At the same time, he must decide if he’s going to sell the 25,000 acres of undeveloped land that he and his family have owned for generations. However, the central plot revolves around Matt’s journey after he learns that his wife was cheating on him with a real estate broker. He searches for Elizabeth’s lover to invite him to see her in the hospital before it’s too late. Matt must juggle these situations all while grieving and trying to understand his marriage, fatherhood, and responsibility.

George Clooney gives the performance of a lifetime in this character piece. From outright crying and anger to subtle changes of facial expressions, Clooney could not have portrayed this character’s thoughts, feelings, and personal growth any better. He silently delivers the character’s mixed emotions about his wife with an eloquence that words could never accomplish. He makes the character and the film feel so real, so relatable, and so poignant.

With that said, the movie has its flaws. It is well acted and beautifully done, but it feels a little drawn out and slow at parts. Also, while the pressure to sell his family’s land is relevant, it feels out of place. Honestly, the plot doesn’t matter as much as the character development; not to say the plot isn’t fine, but the dialogue and performances are what stand out.

Apart from some boring scenes scattered throughout, it’s a good movie. Again, the acting, especially Clooney’s, is really what carries the film. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t see it again. Still, it deserves a watch. The Descendants is showing in the MUB for $2 and is available at Redbox for $1.20.

Final Score: 2.5 out of 4 stars