The Descendants

THE DESCENDANTS (2011) - Dec. 3, 2011
Wow!  I loved this movie.  If Alexander Payne weren't already one of my favourite directors, he certainly would be now.  About a man who finds out that his comatose wife (who is about to have the plug pulled) was cheating on him, this was pretty much perfection on every level.  First off, there's George Clooney, who gives what has to be a career-best performance.  He's still got that Clooney charm, but at the same time he manages to create a really distinctive character that feels pretty different from anything else he's played.  He manages to convey so much just in his reactions without even saying anything, and without ever overplaying it.  The rest of the cast is just as good, without a weak link in the bunch.  Payne also does a really great job of developing all the characters, and making even side-characters without much to do interesting.  Payne's wonderful direction is also pretty much perfect; stylish, but without ever calling attention to itself.  ****