The Descendants

While there’s much to admire about the narrative that drives The Descendants, the most compelling aspect of this character-driven family drama is what happens beneath the surface.

The project is the first for director Alexander Payne since his Oscar-winning Sideways (2006), and his collaboration with George Clooney shows an actor and filmmaker in perfect sync with a story about grief and re-establishing family bonds that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.

Clooney plays Matt, a Hawaiian land baron whose life is turned upside down when his wife (Patricia Hastie) is left comatose after a series boating accident. This causes Matt to reconnect with his two daughters while at the same time trying to balance work responsibilities and the possibility of his wife’s imminent death.

A secret from his wife’s past causes further distress just as Matt is contemplating a developer’s offer for a large plot of beachfront land that has been in his family for generations. He is forced to bring his family together under circumstances that could tear it apart.

The script — based on a novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings — is credited to Payne along with newcomers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, who are each comedic actors with little experience behind the scenes. Their characters and dialogue feel natural, especially from the children, which give the relationships more resonance with the audience.

The film also deserves credit for turning its setting into a character, showcasing a side of Hawaii not often seen in the movies. Payne doesn’t care about surfboards or sandy beaches, but does appreciate the unique nature of Hawaiian heritage and culture, making it an indispensable backdrop. Plus, the lush tropical scenery can’t hurt the overall appeal.

There’s even a laid-back Hawaiian vibe to the film that might derail the storyline in the hands of a less assured filmmaker. However, Payne uses that contrast to add urgency to some of the more powerful moments in the script.

There are times when the plot strains credibility, but it’s easier for viewers to suspend disbelief when they can relate to characters this honest. The surprises in the latter half of the film are gentle rather than forced.

The Descendants is a sensitively crafted film that has the rare ability to move audiences with its characters on screen while causing them to ponder some elements in their own lives as a result.

Rated R, 115 minutes.