It has to be Clooney, trust him NEVER to fail you. As you descend into the morass of the film , Descendants once again proves the versatility of this actor. Whether the incredible Oceans series or with a story line thinner that a child's hair, George manages to flesh in emotions and create an ambiance that only occasionally makes you reflect how could you sit through this story.
It needed a Director with the Greek roots to take up the challenge. It needed someone steeped in Family traditions, the drama of existence the ethos of love and that is Greek territory. Alexander Payne did not have to work too hard. The rugged , Hawaiian landscape and George Clooney overshadow the defects in the story , the editing , the screenplay. It is only when stepping out of the hall does the question come to mind- since when did extra marital affairs on the US become such a trauma for a man to scream at his comatose wife awaiting her death?.
The storyline is as thin as it gets and is all in place within the first 15 minutes. A land baron Matt King ( George Clooney) in Hawaii, faces the tragedy of his wife declared comatose after a speedboat accident. Enter his elder daughter Alex ( excellent portrayal by young Shailene Woodley) to inform him of his wifes infidelity.The rest of the movie is all about Matt wanting to locate the lover.The story is thinnest at this stage , but George Clooney dulls our rational mind as we merge into the Hawaiian landscape and the top class acting by all players.
To be nominated for an Oscar? That stretches matters too far . This is a vintage Clooney performance and one cannot go on awarding Oscars to the "sexiest man alive" year on year! How many in this world can boast of an Irish, German and English parentage....! George was born with the right genes and unlike the hoi polloi, turns them to a terrific advantage. May his 50 years rest lightly and may he continue to act his normal self!
Though... what I would personally look forward to, is some powerful story backed by a period setting and Mr George Timothy Clooney riveting us with his performance.
Till then ...Ocean 14 perhaps?
++++
3 FEB 12
