a really good take on what life really is about, and how sometimes there's still things to gain from tragedy. everyone who ever lost a dear person will be able to relate, but it's still light hearted enough not to let you revel in sadness. last but not least, clooney shows once again that he is a highly underrated character actor.

While it never actively feels cliché, its well-worn story is ultimately its most prominent weakness, in that it's forgotten about quickly, disappearing into a stew of memories of similar films. The humor is hit-or-miss; the music nice but out of place; the acting more consistent. The climax is emotionally fulfilling, but all the meandering to get there is a bit tiring.

tirt, ici bos, yapmacik, zorlama, kli$e amerikan aile dramı. ana hatlariyla o hikayedeki her karakteri yillardir ezberlettiniz zaten. o "buyumus de kuculmus" kucuk kardesi de, sorunlu guzel ergen ablayi da, onun gerizekalı erkek arkadasini da, cocuklariyla ilgilenmedigi trajik bir olay sonrasi kafasina dank eden mal ebeveyni de biliyoruz artik oehh. bıkmadınız amk. komadaki ananizi da alin gidin.

Like the 1991 film "Grand Canyon," I guess this is supposed to be about how our problems don't amount to a hill of beans compared to the timeless glory of nature. They don't--but spending two hours demonstrating that fact isn't exactly entertaining or interesting.

You know - I think I finally figured Alexander Payne out. With Sideways and About Schmidt I thought everyone got something that I didn't, maybe I was tired when I watched or something. But with this one, I'm pretty confirmed in my view - he has all the style of movies I love, he has the music, the quirkiness in serious situations - But he has none of the substance. Clooney acts very well in this movie, but most of the others seem removed. The script tries badly. I'm out of characters. No hea

Hawaii is great and all, but the movie is just BORING. Enough with the broken family dramas.

what a beautiful sights if Hwaii

#12#, hype, reviews, story, (dir/writer Payne/1), (G Clooney/3-2)

Good script infused with Payne's own brand of dramedy. Story kept me interested from beginning till the end, at no point I could guess what exactly will happen. Intriguing characters, but Clooney starts to look the same character in every film he is. Very good use of setting - Hawaii really looks like a piece of paradise. Nothing important, but definitely worth spending couple hours on.

Gripping story with great acting by all leads. I got a bit bored by too much landscape shots. Also thumbs up for music, which made quite nice ambient.

Quite an okay drama. The Caribbean setting & music made it stand out from the rest of the family crysis movies, and the slow tempo actually suited me pretty well. It's sad that the main character, Clooney, is surpassed by almost all of the other actors, especially the older daughter. I suppose a solid , slow drama's quite rare in those times, so - recommend!

Great story about father and daughters, a little slow rhythm.

I honestly don't get it. It's not that I didn't pay attention, or didn't find anything to appreciate, or anything like that - but this film just left me empty. Great performances and stellar directing are bogged down by a screenplay that doesn't know if it wants to be a comedy or drama so half-heartedly tries at both, and a soundtrack of Hawaiian that is distressingly misused during otherwise-gut-wrenching scenes. This is no Sideways. I expected much better.

Muito boa essa novela das 8h.

Film was good, if you don't expect emotional volcano you will not be disappointed. Big advantage are beautiful Hawaiian sceneries and music.

A strong drama with some great performances and a stunning collection of bad shirts. Whats impressive about this movie and Payne's films in general is how believable his characters are as people, I guess its because he avoids cliche so well and creates a family unique enough to be interesting but realistic enough to be relatable. I have to admit I've seen better and more oscar worthy dramas this year such as Shame, but the descendants is still a strong entry.

Some very good acting on display here, including Clooney, Shailene Woodley and Judy Greer. I know the point of Sid's character in the film but I still couldn't help being completely irritated whenever he's on screen. I can't quite put my finger on what bothered me about the movie as a whole, but the balance between comedy and drama just didn't work. That breezy ukelele soundtrack and the constant slow fade-ins just gave me a bad vibe overall, taking me right out of the movie.

Rock solid. Nothing really bad, nothing really spectacular. Honestly I can't say it's worth the time but it's not a waste either. It's just... there. Score is not a grade.

a man with his wife in coma has to deal with their two daughters and an important decision.

One of those nice little movies. That's all it is though – nice. Pretty forgettable after a few days too.

Sadly not much to see here - besides from Clooney and dozens of ugly flowered shirts

Alexander Payne proves that he is the master of the light bitter-sweet cinema.

A nice film but one that is far from being one of the best of 2011. The script is good and overall manages to stay away from cliches, the cast is solid and Payne's direction more effective than that of your average American dramatic series director. Still, there is something very familiar about the entire thing that hampers it from being the surprise it would like to be. In the end, it is one of those really worthwile films that lack an unspecified something to become genuinely great.

Bonito, mas nao me comoveu. Clooney está impecável e vale para ve-lo num papel bem diferente.

Despite never really leaving the comfort zone, this is a heartfelt drama, with some great performances.

A touching story of forgiveness and family. George Clooney is great, and the supporting cast (especially Robert Forster and a surprising appearance from Jeff Anderson) are incredibly strong. The story unfolds leisurely, allowing the viewer to understand the characters and their dynamics. As we get thrown into the story of a family in turmoil, we become attached to them and genuinely wish to see them come together.

Decent script, great acting and directing.

Comedy? Either I don't get Alexander Payne, or I'm not his audience. Clooney and Woodley do a great job, but I otherwise felt nothing from this tour of Hawaii.

Some of the characters actions were unrealistic and not all of the humor resonated with me, but I still enjoyed the movie. Both George Clooney and Shailene Woodley gave great performances.