Greenbelters Review 'The Descendants'

Welcome Patch's Tugwell Theatre Group, where Greenbelt movie buffs share their thoughts about films at the . With four pops being the best rating a movie can grab, find out how popcorn-worthy your neighbors deem this week's show.

SHEILA MAFFAY-TUTHILL
(4) pops: ☼☼☼☼

"I am thrilled to report this is his best work I've seen!"

ANNA SOCRATES
(3.75) pops: ☼☼☼

"This unforgettable film richly deserves 3.75 bags of popcorn."

MARK STENSON

(3.5) pops: ☼☼☼

"'The Descendants' is on the best films of the year and should be must see."

Read full reviews below.

SHEILA MAFFAY-TUTHILL'S REVIEW

I always want to like George Clooney in everything he does, but often I feel a letdown after seeing one of his films. Even after hearing wonderful buzz about The Descendents, I was worried. I am thrilled to report this is his best work I've seen! He is the emotional center of a fascinating and gripping film and has finally grown into the actor  whose skill matches his hype. All the cast does a good job and you get lost in the believable pathos.

Hawaii is so perfect a backdrop for the story, it is beautiful and moody too. How refreshing to see a film set in the tropical wonderland that isn't superficial and overly reliant on breezy palm tree shots! The family drama that unfolds disabuses us of the notion that everyone is happy in "paradise".

There is little to criticize  and much to praise and I strongly urge all Greenbelters to get out to the theater to enjoy The Descendents while it is here-you won't be sorry.

ANNA SOCRATES' REVIEW

Alexander Payne’s movie, The Descendants, might have been just another competent Hollywood drama with attractive actors afflicted with too much affluence—but several things transformed it from a merely good movie into an extraordinary one.

This film features several fine performances, especially George Clooney’s second tour de force this year as a schlubby, workaholic lawyer, whose boldly patterned Hawaiian shirts belie his buttoned-down emotions. Without noticeably changing his chiseled features or physique, Clooney assumes the attributes of a man, softened and thickened by years of desk work, who is estranged from his family—and from himself. A family tragedy forces him to reconnect with his troubled daughters and his heritage as the descendant of Hawaiian royalty and a Christian missionary. And that brings up its second remarkable feature.

Hawaii’s natural beauty stands in brilliant and ironic contrast to the characters’ internal turmoil, and the archipelago’s history of colonization, Christianization, and development feature significantly in the plot. Brilliant cinematography and an outstanding musical score featuring several well-known Hawaiian musicians create memorable and poignant moments. A grieving girl plunges into a pool after receiving devastating news—a shot that is echoed by three flower leis gracefully sinking into the ocean in one of the film’s final scenes.

This unforgettable film richly deserves 3.75 bags of popcorn.

MARK STENSON'S REVIEW

The Descendants is a near perfect movie and one the best movies of the year.

It tells the story of Matt King (George Clooney) who lives in Hawaii, but his life is nothing but “paradise”. The film starts with a grim but fantastic voice-over by Clooney explaining that his wife is in a coma, and now he has to be a active parent of his two “testing” kids, Alexandra and Scottie. King's character is also a trustee of a firm that owns a massive amount land in Hawaii and needs to sell it.

The film starts tragically; it's an emotional roller coaster but has multiple scenes of humor that relieves you from the stress and pain of King’s life.

Clooney accurately and superbly portrays an emotionally confused man who’s life is falling a part.

Shailene Woodley, Alexandra, plays a surprisingly big part in the success of this movie with a great performance as the troubled teen.

The story is well done and well paced through out the whole film, there is never a dull part in the picture. The writing is excellent and well delivered by nearly all the actors. The director and writer of the film, Alexander Payne did a wonderful job to capture the performances and even capturing the beautiful scenery that is Hawaii. He gets even more credit by incorporating the scenery into the story so seamlessly.

The Descendants is on the best films of the year and should be must see. The film hits almost every note perfectly and is pick for a Academy Award nominee for Best Picture.