Skip to main content

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
Labels:

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...
Read more

The Pondering 10 - Yankees All-Decade Team for 2010s

I thought I would stay away from the "all-decade" shenanigans, but I got suckered in after all. Around here, end of year rankings, reviews, and reflections rule, so why not compose a list that embodies it all? And why not put together a list around my beloved Yankees? Especially in a decade in which they DID NOT win the World Series. Gasp! With all of that said, please see below not only my list of the Yankees All-Decade Team (because everyone can filter by position), but also by importance and contribution throughout the decade.
Read more

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/13/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. 25th Anniversary of 9/11 It is sort of hard to imagine that it has been twenty-five years since that awful day. It's been fifteen years since I've shared my experience as a High Schooler in Brooklyn, NY , and everything that came with that day (and the many to follow afterwards).  The world changed, and to this day, it still feels hard to grasp what happened (and what transpired with the health of so many afterwards). The lives lost, and the damage done. My son learned about 9/11, and his questions around it ignite some of that struggle with thought around it.  Daddy, how did they get the planes?  Did the building just, like, fall over?  On this 25th anniversary, it is even more concerning to see how the day is also politicized and sometimes weaponized in culture wars. I remember Americ...
Read more