He was good as Doug Ross in ER (1994-99), dreadful in Batman and Robin (1997) but much better in Oceans 11 (2004). Notwithstanding his Oscar for Syriana (best supporting actor), The Descendants is where George Clooney comes of age. But this is by no means the Clooney we are used to. Gone are the loafers and suits and absent the model on his arm; this is a Clooney stripped down to the bone, middle-aged, overweight and very grey.
The story itself is really quite stark; a wife in a coma, two rebellious kids and a family that is falling apart. Clooney attempts to pick up the pieces, an absentee father coming back to the fold. His performance is quite stunning; relaxed and at ease, his acting effortlessly natural. Clooney is ill- kempt, badly dressed and unshaven; how ironic if this is the movie that defines him.
But no movie can work with the lead unsupported and there is excellent support from the girls. Amara Miller plays Scottie, a rebel at ten, Shailene Woodley is Alex, reforming her life. Woodley impresses, mature beyond her years, now feisty now touching the scene underwater (beautifully filmed by Don King) pure heartache on film. Her boyfriend Sid (Nick Krause) has a promising cameo, and the walrus, Beau Bridges, flashes brightly once more.
Much has been written about potential ulterior meanings, the breakdown of families, America’s decline. Clooney himself hits the nail on the head; “my friends think that because I live in Hawaii, I live in paradise but” ….. “we screw up our families just like everyone else”. Director Alexander “About Schmidt” Payne oversees some bitter-sweet reflections (his own script), the Hawaiian soundtrack strangely appropriate.
Clooney is good but will never be great, I once wrote about one of his films. In this low-key, low-budget but excellent film, Clooney puts the critic in his place. 9/10.
Dick Morgan
February 2012
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