George Clooney at his best

it's newcomer Amara Miller who practically steals the show.

George Clooney manages to turn in a career-best performance as a father of two daughters in the Hawaiian-set The Descendants.

In line with his wryly humored filmography, the picture carefully balances mainstream appeal with serious subject matter, all while presenting it through an over privileged family that audiences should naturally feel disconnected to.

Plenty to like in this tour-de-force comedy. Seeing it on the big screen is a plus as the cinematography is gorgeous.

Overall, The Descendants is a lovely film with great performances from [George] Clooney and [Shailene] Woodley.

A veritable showcase for Clooney, who has honestly never been better than he is here.

This film feels very authentic, like the viewer is peeking in on a real family trying to cope with a difficult situation. Part of that credit belongs to Payne's magnificent screenplay, but the cast is pretty special, too.

This is not a story with monumental events or milestones. But it's genuinely absorbing.

As an unsure father, [George Clooney's] more down to earth than he's been allowed to be in years.

Much more dramatic than his previous films, writer/director Alexander Payne still finds a way to fuse the dark comedic moments of his script with the tragic ones and make it flourish.

I liked it. I enjoyed it. I did not resent the time I'd spent watching it, although that may just be because I seriously have nothing better to do.

Payne has created an incredibly moving, intimate, and comical film that still manages - in a humble sort of manner - to speak softly.

For all of Clooney's coasting modes---arrogant, smug, debonair---it appears he's at his best when hapless and floundering. It looks good on him.

... it's easily one of the best movies I've seen all year.

[Alexander] Payne is aided greatly by [George] Clooney, whose befuddled expressions should be engraved in the cement at Grauman's Chinese.

A whole who, as we watch, find a kind of healing. And even grace.

Director Alexander Payne is a master storyteller of the huge life transition. 'Sideways' is one stellar example, 'About Schmidt', another. 'Descendants' easily rivals 'Sideways.'

Clooney and Payne share an uncanny knack for that wistful smile in the face of havoc; for conveying the peace that comes from having lived a life, from having seen disasters come and go, and from knowing that, one way or another, this too shall pass.

Mr. Payne's undeniable knack for naturalism makes "The Descendants" a wholly persuasive and heartfelt experience.