Review of The Descendants (2011) by Mike A — 26 Mar 2013

Very abstract movie, and very very slow, but somehow still good. I would watch it again, and this time, write down all the lessons to be learned, because it doesn't have one or two lessons that are developed throughout the story- instead it plays out like real life, with stupid, unreliable narrators and conflicting lessons.

This makes for a very annoying movie when you're (at least I was) consistently trying to figure out what the movie's telling you, but makes it 50000 times more realistic. Once again, I hate movies when they are unrealistic, but I think with this movie I realized that a three act storyline and a story with just a few plotlines and lessons is the traditional template for even the best movies that aspire to be very realistic for a reason- because it makes for a good movie.

And this movie doesn't do any of those things. It just drifts along, like the Hawaiian waves that Alexander Payne loves to showcase every 10 minutes. It's good, but not in a traditional sense at all.

I don't think I can just sit through this movie anytime. I feel like I could just as easily give it two stars and not think about it, but for some reason I don't think that's right. Though this movie is sooo disparate and slow and I still have 0 idea what the point of it all is, that's what makes it different.

And that's what makes it maybe great. And maybe that was the point after all. Yup, according to the description, it's about the messiness of life. Who knew such a realistic movie could be so boring and shitty.

..but also at the same time kinda good?Sidenote/Edit: I was reading some of the reviews (after I wrote mine, of course) and I realized maybe I wouldn't care as much about any of the characters if the setting wasn't Hawaii.

Just a thought. That's kinda sad that it's probably true. HmmEdit 2: Clooney and Woodley are great, and the director's style is perfect for the setting/screenplay.