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The Descendants
The Descendants Image
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Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 43 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 251 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Matt King is an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family's land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries. (Fox Searchlight)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 43
  3. Negative: 0 out of 43
  1. Tampa Bay Times
    Reviewed by: Steve Persall
    Nov 23, 2011
    100
    The Descendants would still be a splendid movie without him; with Clooney, it's one of 2011's very best.
  2. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    Nov 22, 2011
    100
    It is particularly rewarding to see Clooney outside his comfort zone of self-composed cool in The Descendants, Alexander Payne's beautifully gentle, funny and moving film.
  3. Movieline
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    Nov 16, 2011
    55
    The Descendants is an ultra-polished picture in which every emotion we're supposed to feel has been cued up well in advance. There's nothing surprising or affecting about it. Not even Clooney, who works wonders with the occasional piece of dialogue, can save it.

See all 43 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 91
  3. Negative: 9 out of 91
  1. ReviewCritic
    8
    All performances in this movie were amazing, and the movie itself captures life with an uncommon grace. Funny, depressing, and moving, The Descendants is one of the year's best movies.… Expand
    • 4 of 4 users said yes
  2. bcool
    4
    there is nothing, even superficially, original about this film. I don't understand how could anyone call this the best of the year. we see bunch of movies like this every year. it's good, people should definitely see it,it's not a terrible waste of time or money, but it is nothing special really.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  3. Eden
    3
    What movie did all these other people see that they liked? There is little about this film that is enjoyable. Some good acting performances is all I could muster to say positive about this. None of the characters are either believable or likeable. And why did they have to put the "F" word into the mouths of 7 year olds just to make this an "R" rated film. WEAK… Expand
    • 2 of 3 users said yes

See all 91 User Reviews

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