It was definitely on my “must watch” list on my trip down under. With the Oscars and the Golden Globes hullabaloo I would have been rank stupid to miss an opportunity to watch it. Needless to say I am extremely glad that I took some time off early in the morning to catch up with a show of The Descendants. In an era where we are seriously challenged in terms of creativity and originality across the board (Hollywood & Bollywood), Alexander Payne (of Sideways & Abouth Schmidt fame) not only directs but has also written the screenplay for this really simple and yet different movie which will leave you with a bitter sweet feeling at the end of it all. More sweet than bitter is what I can assure you. Payne’s direction has always been refreshingly different in my experience. Although I thought About Schmidt was different, he does experiment a lot with a genre that is quite simple and straightforward cinema. When you experience Sideways, you are quite certain that there is a genre of movies that can be labeled Alexander Payne. The Descendants probably goes one more step in the direction of cementing this status. Simple, funny, straight forward cinema is so difficult to find.
And Payne’s casting is near impeccable in this case. Geroge Clooney – take a bow. People may argue that Clooney is the most good looking guy with a single expression, and they maybe right as well – believe me there has been many a time that I have wondered whether he is angry or plain indifferent. But in case of The Descendants, the role of Matt King demanded the ice cold nature that Clooney would typically be associated with. How else do you play the character of a Realtor in Hawaii? And one who owns 25000 acres of heaven on earth would make you ice cool I would imagine. But all that’s come crashing down (in a manner of speaking) because his wife, Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie), has an accident that puts her into a coma. Matt, now has to take care of a 10 year old daughter – Scottie (Amara Miller) & a 17 year old terror Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) to take care of. A concept that he has been extremely alien to. Because like most marriages, that was Elizabeth’s department. And to make things worse, Alexandra has a new male friend who seems to have the IQ of a chair – Sid (Nick Krause). I am not going to give away anything more coz that would kinda ruin the movie for you guys. Figure it out as the movie unravels itself layer by layer.
Stunning performances from most of the cast is the hallmark of The Descendants apart from the very interesting and different storyline. The only weak performance, if any, would have been from the 10 year old but I guess Payne got her to do what he could get out of her. We don’t have an Anna Paquin or an Abigail Breslin in the making here for sure. Add this movie to your must must must watch list. 8 on 10. I beg Indian houses to release Hollywood movies at the same time in India as it is abroad (if not earlier). We are a huge market and don’t need to be requesting for this anymore.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1849990169/
And Payne’s casting is near impeccable in this case. Geroge Clooney – take a bow. People may argue that Clooney is the most good looking guy with a single expression, and they maybe right as well – believe me there has been many a time that I have wondered whether he is angry or plain indifferent. But in case of The Descendants, the role of Matt King demanded the ice cold nature that Clooney would typically be associated with. How else do you play the character of a Realtor in Hawaii? And one who owns 25000 acres of heaven on earth would make you ice cool I would imagine. But all that’s come crashing down (in a manner of speaking) because his wife, Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie), has an accident that puts her into a coma. Matt, now has to take care of a 10 year old daughter – Scottie (Amara Miller) & a 17 year old terror Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) to take care of. A concept that he has been extremely alien to. Because like most marriages, that was Elizabeth’s department. And to make things worse, Alexandra has a new male friend who seems to have the IQ of a chair – Sid (Nick Krause). I am not going to give away anything more coz that would kinda ruin the movie for you guys. Figure it out as the movie unravels itself layer by layer.
Stunning performances from most of the cast is the hallmark of The Descendants apart from the very interesting and different storyline. The only weak performance, if any, would have been from the 10 year old but I guess Payne got her to do what he could get out of her. We don’t have an Anna Paquin or an Abigail Breslin in the making here for sure. Add this movie to your must must must watch list. 8 on 10. I beg Indian houses to release Hollywood movies at the same time in India as it is abroad (if not earlier). We are a huge market and don’t need to be requesting for this anymore.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1849990169/
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