Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Descendants (2011)

What it is it about?

Matt King, a trustee who holds the fate of vital land in Hawaii, attempts to re-connect with his daughters and make sense of the last few years of his life after his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident.

Who is in it?

George Clooney - Matt King

Shailene Woodley - Alexandra King

Amara Miller - Scottie King

Favorite Scene:

On their first visit to Elizabeth's parents to break the news of her impending death, Sid's personality and antics rubs the family the wrong way and eventually results in him being punched in the face.

Favorite Quote:

Matt King: I don't want my daughters growing up entitled and spoiled. And I agree with my father - you give your children enough money to do something but not enough to do nothing.

---

Matt King: ...Do you get hit a lot?

Sid: I don't know, I've had my share.

Matt King: [to Alex] Your friend is retarded, you know that?

Sid: Hey I've got a brother who's retarded! You don't have to get all derogatory.

Review:

All of the critics and reviews already out there are completely correct about this film. The Descendants is an absolutely terrific movie. Just out right fantastic. George Clooney is amazing as always, and really delivered his best work since Up in The Air in 2009. Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller were just as good in their supporting roles as well. However, Clooney, in his role as Matt King really hooks the viewer in with a transparent sense of the character's situation at hand, but also causes you to feel the mixed array of emotions he is in.

And honestly, Nick Krause deserves at least a mention as the memorable Sid. You will get a kick out this character!

What really makes The Descendants a must-see film is it's ability of pacing and storytelling. The film does a great job of slowly giving you more and more to the point where you understand and feel what this transforming family of three is going through as they not only cope with the situation of a dying mother and wife, but becoming re-connected after this situation.

The Descendants is the ultimate self-recovery story, and one that is highly enjoyable with moments of laughter, sadness, and intrigue all rolled into a great movie.

Check this one out, for sure.

Grade: 4/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions. 121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden? Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability? This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Knicks Postseason 2026, Conference Finals vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

It feels like forever since we've played. But we've got our opponent, and it's go time! Review Thoughts from Round 1 Review Thoughts from Round 2 Like every other Knick fan, I too hoped for a seven-game series between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and that's what we got. The long series added time for our squad to rest up (get healthy, OG!) and more time to scout exactly what we'll have to deal with in the Eastern Conference Finals. We've been here before, and a trip to the NBA Finals once again feels all too close. All too real! The Cavaliers present some interesting dynamics with their electric backcourt and the size up front with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. There are also two players on the roster, Dennis Schroder and Max Strus, who often find ways to stick it to the Knicks. Sam Merrill seems like the kind of guy who would join that group in this series. Nonetheless, the Knicks are on a historic run. The Cavs have been knocking on t...

Knicks Postseason 2026, NBA Finals vs. San Antonio Spurs [in progress]

Part of me is in disbelief that we are here...the other part is raging and ready to go. Four more wins! Let's. GO! So much of this NBA Finals feels poetic, historical, and dream-worthy, for so many reasons, to so many different parties. This includes the NBA office. I'm sure they are loving this matchup for their biggest stage. While defeating the Spurs does exercise some demons from 1999, I'm not sure I care about that at all. As noted from my thoughts in the Eastern Conference Finals, at this point, just win. Review Thoughts from Round 1 Review Thoughts from Round 2 Review Thoughts from Eastern Conference Finals Just. Win. I don't care who the opponent is. The narrative that comes with it, or how we do it. Just. Win. The NBA Cup win seems like whiteboard material for them, yet a serving example for us to match up with them. Again, it doesn't matter. Both teams are completely different beasts since November, through growth and experience. This all comes down to...

Dome Pondering

Search This Blog