Drama.
With George Clooney, Shailene Woodley and Amara Miller.
Director: Alexander Payne.
Age restriction not yet available.
Opens 3 February.
Rating: 4/5
The life of a Hawaiian property baron is turned upside down when his wife falls into a coma. He tries to keep his dysfunctional family together – with unexpected results.
This drama is a must-see for readers who want to boast they’ve seen an Oscar-nominated film.
US critics couldn’t find enough superlatives to praise this George Clooney flick. It has special relevance for Americans because it deals with one of their favourite themes – family relationships – as well as emotional neglect.
It’s also about trying to get your life together, getting a perspective on how you influence other people, and where you’re headed.
George Clooney’s performance has been praised and he’s likely to win a string of awards, but young Shailene Woodley as his daughter is even more impressive.
Don’t expect a melodrama with family skeletons clattering from cupboards. There are dramatic confrontations and the characters are forced to face the cruel realities of their lives, making this film unlikely to appeal to soapie junkies.
Emotions aren’t spoonfed or manipulated and the story unfolds logically and in often strongly dramatic ways. It may not be for everyone but it’s an excellent film of the type not often produced in America.
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