While the trailer was not really too interesting or eye catching, you have got to see the movie and you will definitely agree with me when I say that this movie has an edge and we might be seeing THE best picture movie for 2012.
The film is an adaptation of the book of the same title written by Hawaiian writer Kaui Hart Hemmings.
So what's the film all about?
The story is about Matthew King, a wealthy land baron whose wife figures into an accident that leaves her in a coma. King is left to fend for himself and struggle to connect with his two daughers Alexandra and Scottie. The Kings are out to connect with each other and deal with some personal issues left behind by their family plus Matt also has to go and find his wife's lover to tell him that the wife Elizabeth is dying.
To be honest, I was expecting this to be a heavy-drama film since this has become the norms for actor George Clooney (see Sideways). But I was pleasantly proved wrong as the movie definitely shows that its a clever mix between comedy and drama.
I love Matt King's daughters for this movie. Both the actresses and the characters were endearing and loving. TV's Shailene Woodley was also great for this film. The actress who first made it big with her appearance in the television series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager", definitely placed an exclamation point in her performance for this movie as the rebellious and potty-mouthed Alexandra King. She's got this facial expression of fierceness which is cool and even if the scene demands that she looks tame she actually still looks like she's about to pounce. And I'm saying this is good because the character from the book itself is definitely feisty and rebellious.
King's other daughter Scottie (played by Amara Miller) is also another great cast member for the film. She's young and very much in a state of confusion which adds more tension. Heck its in the last act of the movie when she finally learns her mother's true condition. Her onscreen presence also exudes two things IMO - her real innocence and a bit of spunk. Her innocence is what will make you shed buckets of tears while her spunk will make you laugh.
The musical scoring for this movie was also great. Fox Searchlight really pulled some strings to ensure that they would be really fleshing out more Hawaiian flavor for the film. While we really didn't know what the songs are about, its basically the general vibe that makes it really cool.
Another thing I'm really hailing in this film is the scenery. The beaches and the mountains and generally the whole look for Hawaii suddenly made me want to take a trip to Hawaii and just lose it surfing and hanging out.
There's so much I'd like to say about the Descendants (a lot of good things actually) but with a time limit, I'm going to end it by repeating myself again. Its a damn good movie and it definitely deserves its Oscar nomination.
VERDICT: 10/10
Between Clooney's monologues to the comedic timing of the two daughters to Sid and the beautiful scenery and music - The Descendants will put you through a pleasant ride for the next 112 minutes or so.
Special thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Philippines for inviting me for this great movie.
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