OK for kids 16+
Devastating, moving dramedy about death and forgiveness.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this quietly powerful George Clooney dramedy from the director of Election and Sideways careens between dark and light moments in a snap -- and some of the dark moments are really dark. Because of this heaviness and the movie's mature subject matter (death, infidelity), The Descendants is too much for younger teens and tweens, even though the cast prominently features a 10-year-old (who cusses) and her older teen sister (played by The Secret Life of the American Teenager's Shailene Woodley). There's also a fair amount of swearing (including "f--k" and "s--t") and some underage drinking, including one scene in which a teen girl is caught drunk.
- Families can talk about The Descendants' messages. What is it saying about family? About the role of fathers? Are the characters intended to be role models?
- How does the movie portray underage drinking? Are the consequences realistic?
The good stuff
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Messages: Although the movie presents families as murky, dysfunctional messes, it's also saying that even the smallest sliver of forgiveness has a way of illuminating the dark. And when things get overwhelming, ride them out -- just be, and you'll find equilibrium soon.
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Role models: Though Matt confesses to being an absent father, when tragedy strikes, he really does show up for his kids. He's also quite forgiving of his wife and of others and refuses to dwell on whatever breaks his heart.
What to watch for
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Violence: A woman lies in a coma after a boating accident, and there are plenty of close-ups of her at the hospital that could be upsetting for younger viewers. A man screams at his wife and at a couple; a daughter bickers with her father. A grandfather punches a high-schooler.
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Sex: Revelations of infidelity and discussions about halted sex lives. A man kisses another man's wife.
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Language: Tweens, teens, and adults swear frequently, including "f--k," and make gestures that pretty much say the same thing. Also: "damn," "s--t," "a--hole," "p---y," "bitch," "prick," "hell," "ass," "crap," "goddamn," "oh my God," and more.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: References to a teenager having trouble with drugs and alcohol. Her father and a school official catch her drunk on a beach. Social drinking in pubs and at parties.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Sharply written and transparently honest. by Nacho Baggo
When the same person writes, produces,and directs, it is a good one! This is more than true with the DESCENDANTS. Heart wrenching and playful scenes played out with enjoyable characters and a brilliant adaptation of the novel. This will get a few nods in February. All the elements are character development work and te performances are realistic.
Worth full price on date night.
4
Clooney's Most Likeable by PECurls
Matt King is George Clooney's most likeable character yet. He is a father and husband having to come to grips with a life- altering tragic event and he (and we) don't know if he's up to the challenge. Although I was sometimes distracted, IT IS George Clooney after all, I was more taken by his every-man persona and (gasp!) schlubby appearance. No tuxes for this role. Just emotion, and angst, which look damned good on him.
The supporting cast was terrific and everyone in the film managed to hold back what could have been gratuitous tugging on the heartstrings but instead turned out to be genuine and sometimes even funny.
The more I think about this film, the more I like it. Leave the kids at Happy Feet 2 and go see what should be the role that garners another Oscar nomination for Mr. Clooney and the beginning of stardom for a couple of young actors/actresses.
5
Amazing film on family dynamics, love, & forgiveness by george_gordon
Best movie I've seen in a long time. Story and characters are so natural and nuanced and complex, struggling for dignity, flawed, utterly believable. Casting is brilliant across the board. Clooney as Matt King and his 2 daughters Alex & Scottie have rich, many-dimensioned interactions. He and Alex's performances are subtle genius. beau bridges captures perfectly a middle aged guy who's coasted on his inheritance and plays affable, easy-going, and unmaterialistic on the outside but reveals through twitches in his lip and opaque comments how venal & ultimately self-loathing he is. And even the smaller roles are richly realized and critical to the overall tone and telling of the story: Alex's stoner friend Sid, the couple down the street who are good friends, the father-in-law.
The closing three scenes are so quietly elegant and beautiful, deeply sad but so personal and somehow affirming that within all of us is the capacity for tenderness and forgiveness. A great film.
5
So genuine & honest by meldropper
What I loved about this film is how quickly I felt I could connect with the characters. It is a serious, heavy film but with appropriate "laugh-out-loud" moments of comedy that helps break the tension. I was drawn into the main character's life and the challenges he was facing that we all hope we'd never have to face and how he copes with the betrayal, shock, sadness, and grief.
There is some use of the "F" bomb and some other foul slang throughout which gives it the "R" rating. My husband and I took our teen daughter--we cringed a bit when the "F" bomb/other slang was used but overall I don't regret taking her, as the film is outstanding.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND!!!.
2
typical hollywood movie by Il Postino
Great locations, boring movie, Clooney was fine but this is not an Oscar performance.
The boat funeral was redundant. I do not think this is a movie that will be remembered.
5
Many Cheers, A Few Tears by kritiq1
This rises above the usual Hollywood holiday fare. It drips authenticity, and handles the difficult subject of a dying family member in a deft and realistic way. Honest performances from Clooney and his two onscreen kids, sensitive and surefooted direction from Alexander Payne and a mature appreciation of the ways in which the impending death of a wife and mother change those around her "The Descendants" one of 2011's finest films. This is not to say there are not moments of laughter, joy and sheer entertainment. Beer is drunk, punches are thrown, curse words abound. And of course, tears are shed, onscreen and in the audience. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
2
Ugh. Avoid this one by jmpkwd
I hated this slow, uninteresting film with iniversally unappealing characters. Idiotic plot. I didn't care about these people nor understood their actions. Advertising is very misleading. Clooney is half asleep in this role. The older daughter is good but not worth your time given the slew of holiday films. See A Dangerous Method instead.
4
The Descendants by kiddoc61
Interesting film. Clooney has never been better. I am still thinking about how I feel. Many reviewers write about how funny the movie is - I think we saw it in alternate universes.
4
Interesting family drama by msherrell
The story held my interest, and the Hawaiian setting offered twists and turns that were unexpected. Enjoyed this movie as a break from Thanksgiving and holiday shopping.
2
We walked out of this snorefest by NYRich82
Look, my wife and I are huge movie-goers and have no problem sitting through a heavily narrated drama, but I knew I was going to be disappointed from the get go. After reading rave reviews, I we went in to this one optimistically, but as the title states we couldn't even bear to sit through it to the end. The plot sets up some serious confrontations over real life decisions, but in the end they were generally flat in their execution. It wasn't one particular actor/actress that got to us, as I think the cast is star studded, but in whole I felt like I spent more time watching scenic views of Hawaii to Hawaiian music, then I did any good, heartfelt scenes. Maybe the end tied it together or saved the day, but my wife and I both felt that we couldn't care less what happens to these people so we didn't wait around to find out. For the record, I have only walked out of a movie less than 5 times in my life, so for someone who sees nearly 30-40 a year, that should tell you something.