Directed by Alexandar Payne
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033575/

What is it that makes the women in my life destroy themselves ?


Matt King (George Clooney) has the responsibility of handling his two daughters, one has already got out of control, and the other isn't far away. His wife suffered a tragic boat accident, and after been in coma for some time, the doctor's finally give up on her. As her last wish, Matt wants every person whom she loved to come and visit her once in hospital. What he doesn't know is that there would be one person that he would have to himself find and bring in to meet her. A secret he was unaware of, which somewhat weakens him at a time when he needs lot of strength.

What I really loved about the film was its treatment. The screenplay has the humour as well as the drama to make you emotional. Story is very much common, what the director excels is in bringing the small things out of the chosen story, those various moments, the dilemna situations where you wonder what is right, and whether you should do something for a person you know has in a way dissappointed him! 

I like the way plot is built, there is no forced change in the behavior of daughters towards their father. Even at the end of film, there hasn't too much changed.. only change you see is they start having a emotional connect with him now. Maybe, it is because of their mother who is now gone. Or it is, most likely in my view for the time he spent with them while arranging everything so that their mother's final wish gets completed. That final shot of all three together is one of the best from the film. 

Cinematography is very good, specially the island sequences.. they look so beautiful. 

Some of my fav scenes would be, Matt running to his wife's friend to know the truth, which his elder daughter revealed to him. The scene where Matt talks to his wife alone in hospital, the only way he has to take all the anger inside out. The scenes between Matt and Sid (Nick Krause) are quite humurous, especially the 'retarded' dialogue one. The one where Matt decides about what he would do with the plot he is sole trustee of. And, the scene where the doctor tells Scotty about her mother.. for first time she shows the emotional side in a otherwise 'in a getting spoiled mode' throughout the film. 

George Clooney performance is very good, his expressions as a father who is unsure how he would tackle the two monsters of daughters.. and at the same time the pain he is going through after getting that shocking news about his wife. There are some silent scenes in movie involving him, like the one where he cries going at a place after knowing the name of the person. 

Amara Miller is very cute as a small child, love the way she replies back to her father.. and the final moments of film where she presents her emotional side very well too. 

Shailene Woodley looked beautiful, and a very good supporting role she had. She was the elder daughter, the one on whom Matt could rely on. Very spoilt, but realizing the need of the situation, she helped him though with all her attitude, and a boyfriend that travels everywhere. 

Nick Krause, was in the film only to bring a added humour into the screenplay. He does have 1-2 good advice sequences with Matt too. 

Also, actors who played Elizabeth's (Mattt's wife)  father and mother, were nice.. specially the father. Reminds me of the scene where he hits Sid on his face for laughing at Elizabeth's mother's condition. 


Overall, The Descendants has a beautiful take on family relationships especially father-daugther.. plus a journey of Matt, who tries to tie the loose ends of his life. 


------
Yash.