The Descendants

When you think of “Family Films”, chances are that they are obnoxious little movies to entertain your kids with fart jokes while you can take a 90 minute nap. However, reading deeper into the phrase, perhaps films about family should be more about that collection of people who you may not always like but have to be with them anyway, and through the worst of times are always there for you. To me, that’s what a real “Family Film” should be, and the new Fox Searchlight release by director Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Sideways) called “The Descendants” offers just that.

We open on Matt, played with vulnerability by George Clooney (Three Kings, Fantastic Mr. Fox). He is a Hawaii attorney living in what mainlanders would call paradise. His response: “F*** Paradise.” He has been busy with work and trying to sell off a portion of island property he inherited for millions of dollars, and therefore has missed seeing his wife Elizabeth and two daughters grow apart from him. However, when she has a boating accident that puts her in a coma, he is forced to step away from his desk and become a parent. The problem is: he really can’t cope with suddenly being a father to his headstrong teenage girls. First there is 10 year old Scottie, played by Amara Miller in her debut role. Also in tow is Alex, played by Shailene Woodley (Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, TV’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager). Alex is only 17 but already dating older men and getting wasted at every opportunity, of course being a bad influence on Scottie. Their excuse for being foul-mouthed brats: Mom. It’s true that Elizabeth hasn’t been a model parent either, and Matt decides that during this difficult time they all need to try to be a family again…but as Alex reveals to Matt there are some terrible secrets that need to be told. I won’t reveal the big twist in the story, but it forces Matt to take his girls out to a vacation to Kauai to confront an interloper and show his girls for the last time the gorgeous beach property which he wants to sell. By the end of the film, all these issues will be resolved one way or another.

Going into the movie after seeing the previews, I imagined that this would be another of Payne’s slice-of-life movies, and it really is. However, the reason he has made such a good little movie is the subtle touches to add unexpected humor to an otherwise dark drama. For instance, the inclusion of Alex’s boyfriend Sid, a scenery-chewing Nick Krause (How to Eat Fried Worms, National Lampoon’s: Stoned Age), offers unexpected comic relief, especially his scene with cinema legend Robert Forster (Medium Cool, Jackie Brown,) playing Scott, Matt’s father. When Sid makes fun of Scott the only response is, “I’m gonna hit you.” and you can imagine the results. Also, when Matt finds out the big news he has to confirm it from his sister-in-law, meaning he has to run down the street in flip-flops, defusing most of the tension from the previous scene and even evoking some giggles. Also look for Judy Greer (Three Kings, TV’s Archer) in a pivotal role, giving a really great performance.

“The Descendants” works because it gives a predictable story a reality vibe making it a good, bittersweet feeling. And bring the kids.