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The Descendants (2011)

R  |   |  Comedy, Drama  |  9 December 2011 (USA)
7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 196,073 users   Metascore: 84/100
Reviews: 433 user | 542 critic | 43 from Metacritic.com

A land baron tries to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife is seriously injured in a boating accident.

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(screenplay), (screenplay), 2 more credits »
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Title: The Descendants (2011)

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 64 wins & 130 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
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Sid
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Grace A. Cruz ...
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Karen Kuioka Hironaga ...
Carmen Kaichi ...
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Cousin Ralph
Matt Esecson ...
Cousin Hal
...
Cousin Milo
Stanton Johnston ...
Cousin Stan
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Storyline

Matt King's family has lived in Hawaii for generations. His extended family - namely he and his many cousins - own 25,000 acres of undeveloped land on Kauai held in trust, which ends in seven years. The easiest thing for the family to do is sell the land before the seven years is up, which is all the talk in the state, as, to whom they sell the property could very well change the face of Kauai. Despite the vast wealth that comes with the land, Matt has decided to live solely on what he earns as a Honolulu lawyer. However, Matt has not had a perfect life living in Hawaiian paradise as many believe. He and his wife Elizabeth were having problems in their marriage. She recently got into a boating accident which has placed her in a coma. Their seventeen year old daughter Alex is in boarding school on the big island since they couldn't handle her rebellion, which was made all the worse by an argument of an unknown nature between mother and daughter during Alex's last visit home. And their ... Written by Huggo

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including some sexual references | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

| |  »

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

9 December 2011 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Los descendientes  »

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$7,345,720 (USA) (18 November 2011)

Gross:

$82,624,961 (USA) (27 April 2012)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Amanda Seyfried auditioned for the part of the older daughter. See more »

Goofs

On the plane to the island to meet Brian Speer, Cousin Hugh is clearly seated in the row directly behind the actors. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Matt King: My friends on the mainland think just because I live in Hawaii, I live in paradise. Like a permanent vacation. We're all just out here sipping Mai Tais, shaking our hips, and catching waves. Are they insane?
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 84th Annual Academy Awards (2012) See more »

Soundtracks

Kalena Kai
Written by Webley Edwards (as John Kalapana)
Performed by Keola Beamer
Courtesy of Starscape Music
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
King George's court
26 November 2011 | by (New Zealand) – See all my reviews

I love the freedom oozing from Alexander Payne's films. The clarity and simplicity of the idea and its execution. All the answers and unity found under a grieving cloud. George Clooney's Matt King is, quite simply, superb. The humanity of the man mingling with his contradictions. So refreshing to spend time with this immediately recognizable man. I couldn't help but loving him. If it's true that Clooney dominates the film, he is surrounded by compelling characters. His eldest daughter, played by the remarkable Shailene Woodley for instance or her boyfriend, a winning Nick Krause, contribute to make "The Descendants" one of the best films of 2011.


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Yet, another mislabeled movie windquake
Great movie if you're an adult lynfoster
Did anyone else think this was just plain terrible? Boing_Boing
Bad dialogue. Bad acting. Bad editing. Bad everything? kareldc2
Where are the Hawaiian people? jorgenson-s
Shaeline garethrh
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