The Descendants

The Descendants is a wry, somewhat moving, slightly entertaining snapshot of hell in paradise. The Hawaii of this movie is at times idyllic, at others a mirror of American society in distress. George Clooney adeptly plays the distant father coping with two daughters, while Mom lays in a coma from which she never recovers. (If you've lost someone you loved in the past year, this may not be the movie for you.) There is some funny dialogue as well as poignant moments along the path of sorrow, illness, old age, and adultery, while Dad and his girls find their way back to each other. Overall the supporting cast may be better than George, though best actor nominations will surely come his way.