The Descendants

It’s a heavy-hitting family drama starring George Clooney, the one that snagged him a Golden Globe. I figured if you caught any of the awards season coverage, you probably heard the buzz about this one, but since I noticed there wasn't a dedicated thread for it here, I thought I'd go ahead and get the conversation started...

If you want to dig deeper into the movie, check out these links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1033575/
http://www.voanews.com/news...130020948.html

I would genuinely appreciate it if someone who actually sat through this could provide a comprehensive explanation for why it’s held in such high regard (and why the ratings are relatively high).
The narrative feels formulaic, the characters lack depth, the camerawork is uninspired, and the soundtrack is lackluster... everything about it feels incredibly generic, lacking any sense of individual soul.

I am aware that Clooney was likely aiming for something akin to the role of g. peckati in To Kill a Mockingbird, but... 😢

Truly a great feelgood movie about life's bitter truths. 😍

I wasn't really feeling it. The whole plot just kind of drifts along in this low-key way where nothing much actually happens.

It feels like they definitely left the door wide open for a sequel, though.

My rating: 6/10

I’ve got my doubts about "The Descendants 2"... though I have to say, Clooney actually did a pretty solid job with his role in it...

This felt a bit like watching Warrior. I was constantly aware that it lacked any real originality—it was just so predictable, like I’d already seen this exact story a dozen times before... honestly, I checked out way more than I did during Warrior. Screw you, Payne.

Honestly, I thought the movie was great—I actually had a blast watching it. 😍 Look, I’m not saying it’s some life-changing masterpiece or anything, but it’s definitely more than just okay. It’s solid. And I totally disagree with anyone claiming nothing happens in the plot. Plus, the soundtrack has this Hawaiian vibe that just fits perfectly. George Clooney is absolutely phenomenal, and the setting is basically my favorite place on Earth. 😍

It’s a solid film, though I’d say it falls just a hair short of Sideways. That said, George Clooney delivers what is arguably his finest performance to date here.

Overrated movie. It was just okay... Clooney wasn't bad, but everyone else felt pretty average. The plot dragged in spots, too. Those Golden Globes were totally unearned. Honestly, if Clooney actually walks away with an Oscar, then things have truly 🙂

It’s a solid movie with great performances from George Clooney and his daughter. That said, the plot was pretty predictable—I mean, did anyone actually suspect the father and daughter would make up, or that they'd decide not to sell the estate even if it meant losing a massive fortune? Plus, I found some of that typical Clooney moralizing a bit grating. Still, The Descendants is a good, beautiful film.

It was a rather aimless film, honestly; I suppose its only real merit lies in those stunning locations. And if I may be so bold, I don't think George Clooney deserves an Oscar for this particular performance—perhaps Pitt was much more compelling in Moneyball.

I already mentioned in the Oscar thread that I liked the movie; I thought it was quite good. It’s a familiar trope—you know, a tragedy that brings a distant family together. Sure, it was predictable, but it worked for me. I see people complaining on IMDb, claiming the score ruined what they consider an average film, but personally? That soundtrack is exactly what elevated the whole experience for me. No complaints here; I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Honestly, I’m sure it’s an absolutely fantastic movie, but I just don't have the slightest urge to sit down and watch it right now. 🤷

The movie's actually pretty solid—it’s got a logical flow and stays positive. It feels a bit slow, though, which is kind of the problem with most recent indie dramas or thrillers lately, but this one actually pulls it off... etc.

Thank God Clooney didn't snag the Oscar for this role. I honestly don't get why he even got a nomination. I've seen those same dull, moody expressions of his a thousand times in his other movies. The film itself is okay—it shows a depressing situation set in a beautiful location—but it's just middle-of-the-road. Nothing special. Just another movie I overhyped myself for.🤷

If Clooney wasn't in this, it would be a total disaster.

As it stands, it’s just incredibly dull and honestly a pretty mediocre movie.

Honestly, I don't see anything special about it, especially not with Clooney in the lead. I mean, sure, it’s a solid performance, but calling it one of the best of the year is a massive stretch...

And yeah, the movie is totally overrated.

The settings in this one are actually quite fascinating.
To be honest, if I were expecting more from an Oscar nominee, I certainly was.
That said—it’s easily one of the better films I've sat through lately.

I’d definitely recommend giving it a watch.

Arthur Garcia59 said:if it weren't for George Clooney, this would be an absolute disaster.

the way it is, it’s just incredibly tedious and, I suppose, a relatively mediocre flick.

Exactly. Honestly, I don't even know where to start. I finished watching it and it slipped my mind almost instantly. Even George Clooney doesn't really do much of anything noteworthy here, and that older woman was just awful—all that heavy-handed dramatization and typical pseudo-philosophizing. 🙂A massive disappointment, truly.

This movie is absolute top-tier. Honestly, I was expecting some total garbage based on the trailers and all the Oscar buzz, but Payne is just a freaking genius screenwriter (and his whole crew is killer too). It really shows. You’re constantly dying to know what happens next, and that’s exactly what every single movie needs to do. My respect for Clooney just skyrocketed after this.

Yeah, the pacing is slow and there aren't any crazy special effects, but that’s actually its biggest strength. That's how life actually feels when you're dealing with a mess like this: slow, grueling, and complicated—even when you're surrounded by gorgeous scenery. It hits the nail on the head regarding how men react to being cheated on, and the father-daughter dynamic plus the whole inheritance drama is portrayed perfectly. Man, I wish I had a dad like that.

I totally loved it. The soundtrack was also incredible, which is huge for movies in this genre...

And seeing the sheriff from Twin Peaks? Man, 🙏 I’m just sitting here looking for that familiar kind of friendly face, but they absolutely nailed casting him...