The Descendants

[McG]

I am really looking forward to this film . . . nothing to do with George!
I'll probably use a voucher to see this when it comes out next week as there's been no previews here.

[soonforgotten]

Caught this at the BFI last week and though I was sceptical going in, I absolutely loved this. I'm not sure how anyone can find it boring to be honest.

My glowing review is up here: http://londonfilmfanatiq.com/2012/01/23 ... scendants/

[Beate]

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/the-d ... 42801.html

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Just saw this tonight. Its an enjoyable, charming and very gentle comedy drama. I find the tone akin to American Beauty with a touch more wry humour and a couple of laugh out loud ones. It rolls like a gentle breeze. The film certainly hinged on Clooney's performance and he was delightful, indeed at his very best playing a sweet, rather gullible and somewhat bewildered father having to get a grasp on his new situation with his dysfunctional family, wading through a waft of different conflicting emotions simultaneously such anxiety, helplessness, bewilderment, anger, frustration etc. It really was a fine performance. I loved the supporting actors too, in particular, Shailene Woodley who played Clooney's wayward daughter. I never seen her before but she seems like a talent to look out for in future. Robert Forster who plays the father in law had the best scenes including a really cracking moment with the Clooney's daughter's dopey boyfriend who in turn provided a nice dose of comic relief.

I did feel the film sagged in the middle with all the land property sub plot while the daughter's transition from teenage rebellion to motherly support was a tad abrupt. But not a big gripe.

There is a down to earthiness about the film that is both charming and slightly bitter-sweet with just the odd comical situation development in a couple of places. Its not outstanding but its a silky pleasure to watch.

8/10

PS In one part of the film a school girl comes into the picture (at the hospital) for about 3 minutes and wowed me with the most atrocious child acting I've seen for a while. Did anyone else felt the same? Am I cruel? I know its just a child, I feel guilty being too harsh...but man she was really bad! I couldnt help laugh and the audience did too but I wonder if they were laughing at the situation and not the bad acting?

[elski]

I loved the supporting actors too, in particular, Shailene Woodley who played Clooney's wayward daughter.

I thought she looked like a female Andrew Garfield, they could play siblings in something.

[Celini]

Seen this again today (I almost fell asleep 20 minutes from the end at the LFF, I originally gave it 6/10 I think) and I was pleasantly surprised! I liked it much better this time! I was not bored a single second and I even cried twice!
And I came to realised I am just a freaking lunatic biacth
(may have to rewatch Martha Marcy May Marlene and My Week With Marilyn, 2 movies that I also thought had lots of potential but that bored me to death)

Anyway, that's a 8.5/10 for me this time

PS In one part of the film a school girl comes into the picture (at the hospital) for about 3 minutes and wowed me with the most atrocious child acting I've seen for a while. Did anyone else felt the same? Am I cruel? I know its just a child, I feel guilty being too harsh...but man she was really bad! I couldnt help laugh and the audience did too but I wonder if they were laughing at the situation and not the bad acting?

I don't think it was bad acting, for me it was the perfect portrayal of 10 year old brat!

[marjoreemarjora]

I saw this on Friday opening night in Edinburgh with my vouchers from missed screening before.

Really enjoyed it, and had a lot to do with George. Felt he acted his socks off particularly running in his flipflops. Good performance from his daughters and thought the daughters boyfriend was a hoot. You could feel for the father having to deal with all the various situations he had to deal with and felt George Clooney was believable in the role unlike the lead in the fil I saw tonight (Charlize in Young Adult)

8/10 from me

[aruif]

big fat yawnfest. 4/10

[angelina_ballerina]

Saw this one last night because my mum is obsessed with George Clooney. But Actually wasn't half bad. I thought it was very indi, very ironic.
Unlike the purposefully tear-jerking films e.g. My sister's keeper etc, death and dying are portrayed as a way of life, a necessity, something that we go through and can laugh about. Did anyone else notice that despite the rather dramatic screenplay and events, you never felt unhappy or close to tears?

[raj101]

I think the one scens you have to cry in is the nurse breaking the news to little Scottie, and perhaps Clooney's final farewell scene in the hospital.

This film builds better towards the end. Its slow at the beginning, and although no one character is particularly interesting in the movie, its the contrast in cultures between them that gives it depth - in the generation gap, really. And elicting audience sympathy for characters that you would casually not care for at all is a subtle skill in filmmaking. Set in beautiful Hawaii, you'd not be blamed for feeling soporific, but for me this kind of film is a free holiday and I soaked up every sundrenched field and warm windy beach scene with relish but also Hawaii was portrayed often as soullessly, gigantically quiet which benefited the theme of the movie. Beleivable performances all round, but particularly from the little actress who played the improbably named Scottie.

sumptously soporific. Or, an alternative view -

big fat yawnfest. 4/10

lol sorry couldnt resist!