The Descendants

George Clooney was hoping for an Oscar nomination with this film, which he eventually won, but for me, Brad Pitt in "Moneyball" was better last year. George was still good, especially in terms of being relatable. In the last film I saw with him, "The Descendants," he was a bit distant, but here he showed us all the emotions he is capable of. However, he is not the only one leading the film, it's also his children. Actually, his whole family. Alexander Payne and his team absolutely deserved the Oscar because the story they created is truly unique. Strong, complicated, and well-developed. The character development is excellent, some characters are truly one-of-a-kind, none are the same, they are all unique. Someone like Sid is truly a prime idiot. It's worth watching because of the acting performances, and for me, the strong script as well. It's true that I might have expected a little more. I just don't know how to name it. Maybe even more emotions. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/04/diar-milovnika-filmu-c-0002-zajimave.html (14/02/2013)

When I have a powerful enough story, I don’t need to set it in Hawaii. Apart from this, The Descendants is a pleasant look into the relationship between a father and his daughters and their farewells to their dying mother. A bit of pathos, a bit of sincerity, a bit of humor. Everything is rendered in a subtle and sensitive fashion, but the film is not exceptional in any way, as it offers no surprises or much drama. I elevated my rating to four stars thanks to George Clooney, who’s a perfect fit for his role, and also Matthew Lillard’s character, who’s the best and most vivacious element of the movie. Sideways was more of a revelation and left a more memorable impression. (17/01/2012)

A solid relationship drama, with the novelty of Hawaii at the forefront, delivering a surprisingly distinctive, considerably relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with a tense story about a dying mother and a dysfunctional family. Alexander Payne has reinvented the world with Shailene Woodley, so thumbs up for that, and George Clooney plays his typical likeable character with aplomb. It's a shame about some of the expected second-rate twists, but it maintains good diction in key scenes thanks to a conversational script that's pretty polished. For the author of the renowned Sideways, this may not be entirely a coincidence, but his main weapon. (12/04/2016)

The slow, depressing undertones of simple contemplation of important life values, with an excess of unconcealed emotions and interpersonal warmth. Which is indisputably the greatest certainty of Payne’s films. However, he did a respectable job with the given material, which would have tempted many other filmmakers to engage in (even) greater affectedness.  The film preserves its sense of detachment in relation to the supporting characters, whereas it is more accommodating toward the leads than they deserve.  Of course, I doubt that the members of the Academy will take the same cynical attitude. 70% (11/01/2012)

I first watched this film years ago, and while it didn't disappoint, it also didn't leave a lasting impression, hence my initial three-star rating. However, after today's rewatch, I found myself adding an extra star. Admittedly, I didn't find anything particularly exceptional in this movie. Yet, as I watched, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was witnessing a slice of real life. Sure, in reality, I don't often encounter people who own a piece of Hawaii, but once I set aside this minor detail, what remained was a tale of ordinary people presented in a way that felt quite believable. Throughout the almost two-hour duration, I found myself engaged. George Clooney as Matt King certainly played his part, but it was Shailene Woodley's portrayal of his daughter, Alexandra, that truly impressed me. / Lesson learned: Hawaii isn't always a paradise. (19/03/2022)