The Descendants by Alexander Payne

Amidst Oscar buzz and recent nominations, it seems only fitting to head to the movies this weekend.  I’m sure it came as no surprise to see The Artist among the nominees, but who ever thought a romantic comedy about a belching, farting, and emotionally unstable bridal party would make it amid the year’s best?  Although I’ll admit I did see Bridesmaids three times while it was still in theaters, I’ll also admit it caused me to reserve some skepticism for the remaining contenders.  Despite these reservations, I recently went to get my own take on another widely popular film, The Descendants.

Featuring the ever-alluring George Clooney and directed by Alexander Payne, the story is set in Hawaii and follows a family struggling to cope with the demise of the mother, Elizabeth.  After a boat accident that puts Elizabeth in a coma and on indefinite life support, Matt King, her husband and the father of their two children, must decide how break it to his daughters while simultaneously handling a controversial sale of virgin Hawaiian land.

Cover of THE DESCENDANTS

Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, the narrative is surprisingly beautiful and subtle.  Rather than dramatizing the obviously heartbreaking, it takes delicate turns covering the complex dynamics between fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, sisters, friends, and the most difficult in-laws.  Through the implied nature of the film, we can piece together how grief affects individual characters and alters their relationships.  One scene in particular (I promise I won’t give too much away) captures the vulnerability of a young girl losing her mother so expertly it makes me wonder why there isn’t an eleven-year-old (possibly ten?) among the nominees for best supporting actress this year.

That being said, the overall reflective tone strikes many light, charming moments throughout the film.  Its comic edge stands out from the very beginning and manages to ease the heavier subjects without feeling contrived.  Compared to We Bought a Zoo, which also deals with the passing of a mother, The Descendants confronts many of grief’s intricacies as the characters cope with the loss of a mother and wife while she is alive and after she is gone.  While still embracing life’s humor, it adequately encompasses the range of emotions coinciding with the death of a loved one.  And while—let’s face it—we all expect The Artist to win best picture this year, it’s never too late to take a look at a film that captures quintessential human experience and does it well.