介绍:
Anchor: 'The Descendants' by Alexander Payne with George Clooney won the Best Adapted Screenplay at the 84th Academy Awards. It is the story of a man who survives a midlife crisis through solemn self-examination. Our movie reviewer Luo Laiming brings us his thoughts on 'The Descendants.'
Reporter: For some people life is a nonsensical repetition of daily routines, only when they are thrust into a vortex of crisis do they really come to grips with their situation. Director Alexander Payne revealed his insight into the lives of such people in his 2002 production 'About Schmidt'. This time he presents another version of his mid-life crisis story, which is set on the tropical islands of Hawaii and by comparison paints a brighter picture of human existence.
Lawyer Matt King's awareness of his awkward situation is precipitated by a speed boat accident which puts his wife in a permanent coma. But even before the tragedy, Matt had enough fish to fry, including his family's 25,000 acres of pristine land on the island of Kauai. But even this is coming to an end for him, because his family is forced to sell the land to native developers. As the sole trustee of the family trust, his decision will affect the lives of his relatives and the native Hawaiians. With his wife in a coma, the decision becomes even more difficult because he has to take care of his two daughters, who will give him a hard time and tell him about his wife's extramarital affair.
It is easy to empathize with Matt's state of mind. Viewers may be expecting this farce of horrors to degenerate into a tragedy. But this piece, in its temperate style, never dwells on a single scene for too long before more drama kicks in. The addition of breezy, even comic, scenes liberates viewers from Matt's intense emotions.
And dignified is the way the man bears the full swing of all his personal calamities. George Clooney as Matt King breathes life, strength and silent sorrow, into the Hemingway-like hero who never gives in to loss, but rather searches inside himself for the reasons behind his sorrow.
His wife’s secret lover, Brian Speer, who also seeks to buy Matt's family land, can be considered a symbol of loss. Matt has had his share of indecision about paying the lover a visit, but he eventually makes up his mind and confronts the real estate agent face to face. After his victory over 'Brian Speer', Matt becomes more determined than ever to protect whatever he has in his hand.
I am instantly attracted to the exotic Hawaiian music quietly playing in the background. The soft score contributes to the temperate style and is suggestive of Matt's efforts to suppress his overflowing emotions.
The Descendants is an excellent portrayal of a man who triumphs over himself and his midlife crisis. On a scale of one to ten, I give 'The Descendants' an 8.5.
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