2011 / US / 115 mins / Dir: Alexander Payne
Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Judy Greer & Matthew Lillard

A smart comedy-drama from the Alexander Payne, acclaimed director of the Oscar-winning film Sideways.

The Descendants is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney), a complacent and wealthy Hawaiian landowner and father of two girls, who is forced to reappraise his comfortable existence when his wife is hurt in a boating accident.

As Matt steps up to take control of the family and assume the role of ‘dad’, his relationship with the girls becomes fraught and they let slip a few home secrets, such as their mothers affair. Whilst Matt embarks on an eventful mission to track down his wife’s lover, he must also decide whether or not to sell the land that’s kept the family rich since they were awarded it by Hawaiian royalty hundreds of years previously.

‘The Descendants glows with maturity and assurance.’ The Guardian

‘A guaranteed multiple Oscar nominee and the film that cements Alexander Payne as one of the top filmmakers of his generation, The Descendants is nothing short of a masterpiece.’ CNN.com

‘As directed by Alexander Payne, the film moves seamlessly from wry humor to heartbreaking sadness and takes clever deviations from the expected.’ USA Today

‘Ranks high on the list of the year’s best films’ Rolling Stone