My Grading System

A+ = Masterpiece (I hold back on this one.) / A = Great. / A- = Really Good. / B+ = Good. / B = Decent (Serviceable). / B- = Flawed but okay (For those times there's something redeeming about the work). / C+ = Not very good (Skip it). C = Bad. / C- = Awful. / F = Complete Disaster (I hold back on this one too).

Note on Spoilers: I will try to avoid ruining a story by going into too much detail. But if I wish to include some revealing points to my analysis I will try to remember to add a separate spoiler paragraph.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Descendants (2011)

Director Alexander Payne is a master at getting into the heart of a character.  Adapted sublimely from the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, he introduces us to a father dealing with a crisis, his wife succumbing to a coma, and the complexities such an ordeal brings while at the same time negotiating a massive Hawaiian land trust deal with his relatives.  This is a beautifully made movie that's both funny and bitter sweet.  George Clooney is in top form, pulling off a minor miracle in that I forgot he was Mr. Clooney, Movie star, for two hours.  Then there's Shailene Woodley who plays his daughter who almost, but not quite, steals the show.  Grade: A 
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