The Descendants is a strong but not quite exceptional entry in Alexander Payne’s filmography. George Clooney delivers a grounded performance, capturing the weary dignity of a man caught between grief, betrayal and reluctant responsibility. The Hawaiian setting adds a melancholic beauty to the story, though the film’s themes never cut as deeply as they seem to want to. The supporting cast is solid – Shailene Woodley’s performance stands out – but the film occasionally drifts into sentimentality or indie quirk. While it’s well made and emotionally restrained, it’s not as affecting as it might have been. Good, not great.

77%. 3/16/25 - 2nd watch. Just a very, simple, relatable story that with the amazing setting in Hawaii that makes it an enjoyable watch. The plot is sad with the Mom gets in a boating accident and in a coma and dying, the husband then discovers she was cheating on him and Clooney's character has to navigate all this with his two daughters. He's also the head of a trust for land their large family inherited and having to decide to sell and cash out and piss off the locals or hold onto the land. Sid, Shailene Woodley's friend that she has with her throughout the movie is very funny. Very light watch. 4/5 rewatch

"The Descendants" is a poignant and subtly funny film about a flawed man navigating grief and family turmoil in Hawaii. George Clooney delivers a nuanced performance, and the film's blend of humor and pathos is both affecting and relatable.

A very heartwarming and wonderful movie. Clooneys performance was great. Tim Treakle

Moving, enjoyable, well-made movie.

Um drama familiar com algumas boas camadas, a mãe em coma, filhas adolescentes, pai ausente, agora desesperado (normal), traições, perdas, questionamentos, investigação, bem gostosinho de acompanhar, bem intimista, abordando as conturbadas relações familiares (adoro), um plot twist leve a cada virada dos atos. Clooney lindo e arrependido, os jovens rouba as cenas, amo, ótimos diálogos, quase constrangedor… Uma trama que, embora complexa, é abordada de forma leve, divertida e cativante...

the only movie I've seen where a teenage girl dives into a swimming pool and breaks out into tears underwater and (seemingly) screaming. very unique moment.

This is an excellent movie. Highly recommend.

Excruciatingly dragged on. Regret my decision to watch.

It's tedious and stretches out way too long. The music is annoying. It wouldn't get on my nerves if there was just a few Hawaiian scores, but seriously, two hours of Hawaiian background music. Are we on an elevator in a Hawaiian department store? This script should have been way shorter and tightened. Clooney does a good job. As do the daughters and the daughter's friend.

One of my all time favorite movies. Watched it all the time as a kid and it's even better now. It's incredibly well done from all technical levels (acting, plot, directing) but the thing I love the most of the Hawaiian setting. There's a special feeling you get watching this movie, as if you're from the island yourself

Wonder movie, beautiful sights. And as a side note, I got to see the state of Hawaii!

Film was real good ..ending was weak.. i would prefer the following ending Matt pays a guy to sl1t brians throat in front of brians kids while matt boans julie.

The Descendants is a simple and powerful film, whose central story revolves around the character of George Clooney, a lawyer with two crucial dilemmas in his life: the sale of land in Hawaii, through which not only he but other members of the family became multimillionaires, and the wife's current state of coma, which left on record that, soon, the devices that support her would have to be turned off, if there was no rapid improvement in her current state. In the midst of these two conflicts, Clooney's character also has to deal with his two daughters, with whom he has a fragile relationship. At this point, I would like to highlight one of the points that surprised me most in the film: Shailene Woodley. I already knew her from the film The Fault in Our Stars, and although she was never a fan of the Divergent saga, in which she was the protagonist, it is a fact that the aforementioned film franchise catapulted her name even further. In The Descendants, she shows, although very young, that she has a talent capable of transforming her into the center of attention; she steals every scene she's in. Clooney is very good, too, as is the actress who plays his youngest daughter. The script, direction and photography are incredible, too, presenting us with striking scenes and dialogues, as well as, of course, splendid landscapes and scenery (I felt like visiting Hawaii after watching this film). The film's ending is, at the same time, sad and charming. The Descendants deserves to be watched and applauded.

Excellent story, cast, locations, music. Funny, sad and unique.

It was just ok. Definitely was not a comedy. Very sad movie.

The script and cast are top notch. Poignant and moving. One of George Clooney's best.

This arguably could be the best acting we've seen for Mr Clooney. This movie Smart funny heartfelt and does the beautiful scenery justice with great acting.

Such an immersive experience! It's not easy to come away from a movie and somehow feel that you participated in the whole production. Thank you for allowing me to be emotionally involved.

George Clooney gives a great performance and Matthew Lillard and Judy Greer are good with the little screen time they have, but the rest of the characters are annoying, especially the little girl. The movie is advertised as a drama/comedy but it's 90% drama and there is never any laugh out loud moments, which is fine, but the movie is just mostly depressing.