THE DESCENDANTS

I was very disappointed with this film. I don't think i had read one negative review plus knowing it starred George Clooney who i think is a fine actor who appears in good substantial entertaining and thought-provoking films plus from the previews i thought it was going to be about a 'single' dad raising 2 daughters and that plot seemed interesting and this was my take before sitting in the theater for 2 long hours.

Well, Bill and I are giving it a negative review: a 6.5 for me and a 4 for Bill (he was thinking of not walking back into the theater after he finished peeing and just sitting out in the hall because he was so disinterested and unengaged with the movie). I still think Clooney is a good actor but maybe too good for his flimsy and flighty role. And the main theme of the movie was about him and his friends and family saying goodbye to Clooney's wife who was in an irreversible coma after a boating accident.

I had a hard time believing in the reality of the whole situation. I was always aware that i was watching a movie with actors. There was no chemistry between Clooney and his daughters at all. Plus the 17 year old went from an initial scene of rebellion and drinking to ideal helpmate and support and confidante of her dad. The subplot that could have added some spice to the movie (a huge parcel of land owned by Clooney and all his cousins was approaching a decision as to whether to leave it unspoiled or develop it into a resort) was kept in the background of the film and never developed.

There was also a huge disbelief on my part as to how Clooney reacted to the news that his wife had been having an affair and was going to ask him for a divorce right before she lapsed into a coma. The dialogue was fairly dull and the music was all ukelele-based hula dancing tunes. Oh, and Clooney being wealthy and living on the Hawaiian Islands added another touch of unreality to this movie which added to my overall lack of identification or caring as to what the characters did or did not do.

I descended into apathy.