The Descendents is a very well constructed and interesting film about a dysfunctional family.
Actually it has three sub-plots. First, the coma and fast-approaching death of the wife of Matt King (Clooney) and the subsequent dealings with his family with how to tell them his wife Elizabeth was soon going to die. The next sub-plot is the selling of the last virgin piece of Hawaiian land owned by the King family since the 1860s (hence the title: The Descendants) and of which Matt is the sole trustee. Finally, the discovery and confrontation with the guy who was sleeping with Matt's wife. The stories flow seamlessly and logically, keeping my attention throughout. However, The Descendents is principally about bad parents and the effect of these parents on their children. In this movie Matt has two daughters, the teenager Alex and the younger Scotty. I recommend that you should put this film on the top of your list-to-see movie. It is truly worthy of an Academy Award.