Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Descendants




If you get a chance, take in the movie called The Descendants starring George Clooney. It is set in Hawaii and is the story of a hapless husband and father (Clooney) who is dealing with the consequences of an accident which has left his wife in a coma. Dad doesn't know how to connect with his daughters, one a surly teen and the other a precocious tween but they muddle their way through the prospect of mom's impending death.


The film isn't perfect -- why is it a "given" that movie kids are lippy? Why does the annoying boyfriend tag along everywhere? And sometimes it feels as though The Descendants it is trying to do too much, but it does get to some of the deeper stuff around families including unspoken resentments, helplessness in the face of tragedy, forgiveness, listening to one's conscience. Even though it is emotional at times it isn't morose or overwhelming. We saw it a month ago and I'm still thinking about it.

Anyone else see it? What did you think?

1 comment:

IanD said...

I'll have to add that to my list ... !