Film Review: The Descendants

The Descendants directed by Alexander Payne (Ad Hominem Enterprises, R, 115 minutes)

Starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, and Amara Miller.

In Remembrance of Those Lost

Tragedy does silly things to a human being. It can either bring family together, or ruin what little semblance of family remaining. It causes people to find religion, or causes others to dive headfirst into addiction. When a loved one passes, we speak of them glowingly as if our words create a halo around the deceased. Through tragedy we resolve to live better as if life changes could honor the memory of a loved one passed.

Yet in death, just as in life, people carry their demons alongside their virtues. In Alexander Payne’s The Descendants, Matt King (George Clooney) struggles with the impending death of his wife Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie) and what it means to move forward with his two daughters, Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller).

A Lawyer and His Daughters

Matt, a lawyer and sole trustee of 25,000 acres of land in Kauai which has belonged to his family for generations, lives in Honolulu. Despite the vast material wealth accumulated in past generations, Matt believes in the virtue of hard work and the notion that a parent ought to give his children just enough money to do something, rather than too much money so that descendants do nothing whatsoever. As such, the Kings live modestly despite the impending sale of the family’s 25,000 acres of land.

Matt’s wife sits in a coma, a victim of a tragic high-speed boating accident. With news of her deteriorating condition, Matt faces the unenviable position of relaying the news to his family and friends.

Upon learning of her mother’s fate, Alexandra, Matt’s daughter, interjects news of her mother’s supposed affair. Shocked, Matt begins investigating the claims. As a result, the rest of the movie teeters between the memorialization of a dying loved one and the intense pain of betrayal by that very same person.

Where Beauty Meets Pain

As a backdrop, the pristine beauty of Hawai’i balances the dark, depressing themes of the film and the book upon which the movie is based. In passing, we all think that living on the Hawaiian Islands represents some sort of paradise. To reside there, one hopes, is to live on a perpetual vacation filled with mai-tais and a perfectly balanced tan. But, this film reminds us that nobody can escape the perils of life. A cheating spouse and the death of a family member still happen in the midst of beautiful backdrop.

I wonder whether this movie could succeed outside of the tropical location. In truth, it is a depressing film; yet the beauty of nature counteracts the grim topics. Had this movie been set in Chicago, it might not have succeeded.

An Oscar Worthy Performance

Finally, I must mention George Clooney and his acting that stabilizes the film. With inner strength and a quiet pain, Clooney musters an impeccable performance worthy of the nominations he is receiving. Is it Clooney’s best? It’s hard to say since I haven’t watched all of his movies. Of the performances I have encountered, Clooney’s acting in The Descendants is one of his best; yet at the same time, the performance does not offer a stark departure from Clooney’s previous work.

The Descendants reminds us of the frailty of human life and relationships. We ought not consider the loved ones we have lost in a softened light; we ought to remember them in their frailty and humanity. To forget the dirty spots is to forget the person. While carrying a sad tone, The Descendants reveals a beauty well worth watching.

Verdict: 4 out of 5

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Posted by: Donovan Richards

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Guest Book Review: Moloka'i

Moloka’i: A Novel by Alan Brennert (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2004. 400 pp)

Born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California, Alan Brennert received a Bachelor’s degree in English from California State University at Long Beach. In addition to novels, Brennert writes short stories, screenplays, teleplays, and musicals. For his work on L.A. Law, he was awarded an Emmy in 1991. During his career, Brennert has also won a People’s Choice Award and a Nebula Award.

When Disease Alters Everything

Set in Honolulu in the 1890s, Rachel Kalama lives a normal life as a typical five-year-old girl when her mother discovers that she has a sore on her leg that won’t heal. The official health inspector quickly discovers Rachel’s malady (Hansen’s Disease, better known as leprosy) and she is torn from her family. Shipped out to an island of isolation, Rachel finds herself in the company of other lepers in the city of Kalaupapa.

Happiness and Loss

Rachel’s story is both one of happiness and of loss. It’s a sort of dualism that plagues the book, perhaps an effective commentary on our own lives. She experiences the loss of people she loves constantly throughout the book, meanwhile gaining new loves.

I’m amazingly moved and impressed by Brennert’s ability to find the depths of the soul where very few authors try to tread. Through this novel, Brennert poignantly tugs at the heart of the reader by forcing the reader to emotionally invest in unusual characters and their unique circumstances.

The Burden of Hansen’s Disease

Few readers want to dive into the life of someone with Hansen’s disease. Yet, Brennert forces the reader to dwell with these people. He forces the reader to know the life, the adventures, the love, and the loss of someone whose life has been drastically changed by a debilitating illness. The reader knows Rachel just as well as she knows herself, and eventually comes to the realization that Hansen’s disease took everything from Rachel, but also gave her something more in the end.

I obviously enjoyed the book. I think Moloka'i would be great for people that love Hawaiian culture and I’d strongly recommend it for anyone wants a simple, easy read.

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Andrew Jacobson is the director of Choral Studies at Bellevue Christian School in Bellevue, WA.  He holds an MM in Music Education from Boston University, as well as a BM in Music Education from the University of Washington.  He loves wine, food, reading, music, and movies.