Collegiate Times

"The Descendants” is one of several films currently getting a lot of Oscar buzz, but what’s all the fuss about? I had to find out for myself.

Although “The Descendants” (2011) came to most theaters in November or December, it just reached our area. “The Descendants” kicked off at the Lyric Theatre last week and had its first weekend of screenings at the Regal New River Valley Stadium 14 in Christiansburg, Va.

“The Descendants” follows George Clooney as Matt King, a rich lawyer whose wife is in a permanent coma after a boating accident. Matt must make a multimillion-dollar decision regarding his family’s land and deal with shocking revelations about his wife, all while coping with her debilitated state. 

Clooney’s performance is definitely a hot topic right now. He has been nominated for Best Actor for the Academy Awards. Clooney’s take on Matt is subtle and interesting. Behind his patient demeanor is a troubled man wanting to scream out in frustration. Personally, I don’t think this is Clooney’s best performance, but it is admirable.

While categorized as a drama-comedy, “The Descendants” is much heavier on the drama than the comedy. There are many serious moments with comedic one-liners peppered throughout. I thought the humorous notes livened up some of the more serious parts, without taking away from the emotional drama. Still, if you’re looking for a hilarious movie, “The Descendants” is not for you.

Hawaii provides the backdrop of the movie’s events. Matt calls Hawaii a gorgeous place in the beginning of the film. but just because it is considered paradise does not mean that its inhabitants don’t have problems.

In fact, Matt’s life is riddled with issues, more so than the average person. Placing “The Descendants” in Hawaii was a good choice not just for artistic reasons, but for aesthetic purposes as well. The lush landscapes of densely forested mountains and white beaches are breathtaking. With the depressing subject matter, viewers are calmed by Hawaii’s beautiful scenery.

Personally, “The Descendants” was a bit long for my taste. The film seemed to endlessly roll on, each scene slowly unfolding. That being said, I don’t know what I would cut from the film to shorten it. I feel like each scene further develops Clooney’s character and is pertinent to the movie’s overall theme.

The slow-moving pace works in this case. It truly gives viewers the feeling they are not watching a movie, but merely peeking into the window of someone’s life.

Do I think “The Descendants” is Oscar worthy? The answer varies. Last year was absolutely stagnant. Saying that 2011’s group of movies is lackluster would be a compliment. It was extremely disappointing. So yes, “The Descendants” definitely is among the best. However, in the history of movies, it is above average but nowhere near the top. I thoroughly enjoyed “The Descendants,” especially compared to other movies I’ve had the misfortune of being exposed to this January. But is it worthy of Best Picture? No.

I don’t want to send out mixed signals about the movie — I definitely think “The Descendants” is worth seeing and is much more than the average popcorn-muching film. The actors give great performances. But in a year in which the majority of movies stunk of garbage, even those with the faintest hint of freshness stood out among the odor. 

A version of this article appeared in the Jan 31 issue of the Collegiate Times.