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The Descendants

By on 12.6.11 @ 6:03AM

As good an American movie as you’re likely to see these days.

To say that someone has been unfaithful is now to imply a breach only of sexual fidelity, but there are other sorts of faith-keeping less well-recognized by our sensationalistic age. The Descendants, a new movie by Alexander Payne (Citizen Ruth, Election, About Schmidt, Sideways), explores the link between fidelity in marriage, which everyone understands and has strong views about, and fidelity between the generations, which is a much less fashionable subject and one that most people, perhaps, would rather not think or talk about. Matt King (George Clooney) is the scion of an old Hawaiian family, a lawyer and the sole living trustee of a family trust which has to be wound up in seven years on account of the common law rule against perpetuities. With the dissolution of the trust, a plot of prime Hawaiian real estate must be sold which could bring the remaining family members as much as half a billion dollars to divide between them. They all look to Matt as the one with the sole authority to arrange the sale, though some have mixed feelings, at least, about disposing of a patrimony deriving from the family’s royal Hawaiian heritage.

To assuage everyone’s conscience, Matt proposes selling not to the highest bidder, a Chicago development firm, but a local consortium. The deal is put on hold, however, as Matt is suffering through a family crisis after his wife, Liz (Patricia Hastie), suffers a head injury in a boating accident and lies in hospital in a coma. Matt, normally preoccupied with work, is grief-stricken and determined to be a better husband and father to his two daughters when Liz wakes up. But just as he learns from the doctor that she’s not going to wake up, his rebellious teenage daughter, Alexandra (Shailene Woodley), tells him that Liz had been cheating on him before the accident. Unable to confront her about it, he confronts others instead, ultimately including his wife’s (married) lover (Matthew Lillard), who turns out to be one of those standing to benefit if the local consortium buys the family land. But the focus remains on Matt both as the comic cuckold and as the touchingly grief-stricken husband, since he hardly knows how to act in either role.

As in all his previous films, Mr. Payne gets a superb performance not only out of his leading man but also out of his other actors. As he was in About Schmidt, especially, he is interested here in what remains of the value of emotional continence in the era of letting it all hang out, and Matt’s eventual stoicism and — the word is rather shockingly appropriate — courtesy in the face of emotional devastation contrasts interestingly with the laid-back Hawaiian lifestyle which is everywhere in the ambience, including a soundtrack dominated by Hawaiian music throughout. The movie begins with a voiceover from Matt that starts as a paean to the Hawaiian paradise, and then an angry denunciation of same: “Paradise can go f*** itself,” he says. The idea that this juxtaposition suggests to me is one by no means exclusive to Hawaii: that paradise must be life’s default position and that, therefore, any of the ordinary troubles of human existence which may come along to disturb it come as such a shock as to undermine the entire foundation of one’s world — at least until one learns, as Matt must learn, the virtue of acceptance.

Naturally, acceptance doesn’t come easily when one is surrounded by people who continue to have one’s own high expectations of life, but once it does it can be a lesson to others — both, that is, to Matt’s daughters (the pre-pubescent one is played by Amara Miller) and to the greedy cousins between whom and their prospective millions Matt threatens to interpose a roadblock. I think there is something slightly facile about the different ways in which St. Matt is shown keeping the faith when those around him hardly understand the concept anymore. Without their cultural underpinnings, his virtues may appear merely quixotic. But Mr. Payne, who has adapted Kaui Hart Hemmings’s novel with the help of Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, likes to blunt this critical response by sticking in surprising moments of a feeling and understanding answering Matt’s own from the most unlikely people. These include the tearaway Alexandra, her apparently air-headed slacker of a platonic boyfriend, Sid (Nick Krause), Matt’s wife’s boyfriend’s wife (Judy Greer) and even his superannuated hippie cousin Hugh (Beau Bridges).

Henry James wrote of Anthony Trollope that “He must have had a great taste for the moral question; he evidently believed that this is the basis of the interest of fiction.” The same could be said for the films of Alexander Payne, even though he is not always so reliable a guide as Trollope to the point at which morality ends and sentimentality begins. Like Matt himself in beautiful Hawaii, Mr. Payne is surrounded in Hollywood — he tries to spend a lot of his time at an apartment he owns in his native Omaha — by people who wouldn’t know “the moral question” if they were swimming (as, of course, they are swimming) in a sea of it. Also like Matt, his occasional mistakes are forgivable for the sake of his uncommon moral honesty and sincerity. The overwhelming impression of this film, as of his others, About Schmidt especially, is one of a wisdom and humanity that will outlive the corrupt milieu in which they have so unaccountably flourished.

About the Author

James Bowman, our movie and culture critic, is a resident scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. He is the author of Honor: A History and Media Madness: The Corruption of Our Political Culture, both published by Encounter Books.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (51) |

Claire| 12.6.11 @ 7:49AM

Very good review. I found the movie to be a little off-beat, but thoughtful and well done; my favorite kind.

Otis Cribblecoblis| 12.6.11 @ 1:55PM

After I read the review, Descendants can F**k all.

Alan Brooks| 12.6.11 @ 8:57PM

"As good an American movie as you're likely to see these days."

Damning with faint praise.

POST American| 12.6.11 @ 7:56AM

------------------Tavistock soft-kill----------------------

--------------degradation programming---------------

-----------------------------OP------------------------------

--------------------------ALERT!---------------------------

Timothy L. Pennell| 12.6.11 @ 8:13AM

I'm starting to believe that this could be some kind of a Da Vinci Code, type deal. I has to be something. It can't just be what we see.
Can it?
I think my nose is bleeding.

Slick Willy| 12.6.11 @ 8:15PM

Maybe you should put a little ice on that.

jd| 12.6.11 @ 8:07AM

Sorry, but this is one movie I will have to pass on because I cannot stomach the thought of any of my hard-earned money going to the likes of a George Clooney. Much to the chagrin of my husband who cannot find a movie I will watch because there are certain actors I will not watch, I decided long ago that I will practice what I preach in my daily life, and live my life to reflect my values, and those values are not something that George Clooney, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and their ilk share.

Indy| 12.6.11 @ 8:18AM

I too, vote with my dollars, in addition to the ones you listed I avoid movies with Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Will Ferrell and a few others. We rarely go to the movies, it costs too much and I find quality movies rare.

Alice Moore| 12.6.11 @ 8:32AM

Alas and Alack! We're almost reduced to exclusively seeing movies with Dean Jones and Kurt Cameron.

Seek| 12.6.11 @ 12:23PM

Maybe you can read a few reviews first.

Seek| 12.6.11 @ 12:23PM

Maybe you can read a few reviews first.

rd| 12.6.11 @ 10:34AM

jd and Indy, I'm with you both. I avoid movies like the plagues that they are. Cheap. Too fast paced. Contrived dialog. Special Effects that just wind up offering headaches.

We've found that the family (to include neighbors or somebody passing through town) board games nights are what we enjoy most. This never disappoints. No TV, no computers on, cell phone s off. Just the board games, laughter, snacks, and lots of smiles.

If I need good fiction, I find it in a classic on the local libraries' shelves.

Our dollars WILL NOT support liberal Hollywood and their destruction of the family.

Indy| 12.6.11 @ 2:11PM

Ah boardgames or cards, yes, we've had our share of fun with that...recently at a family gathering the elders in the family soundly defeated the youth in a game of Monopoly. Actually, it was a very good lesson in basic economics and the overconfident teenagers took their beating well and immediately asked for a rematch...the next round they did much better. What was their initial mistake? They simply overextended themselves gobbling up property and overbuilding, we used that as a basis for a lesson on the housing collapse...I cannot get them to read Thomas Sowell yet but Monopoly was hands on learning and lots of fun. Of course, another rematch is scheduled, the teens are on a mission to defeat their uncle who is the family reigning champ.

Timothy L. Pennell| 12.6.11 @ 8:10AM

Does anyone remember SYRIANA? Does anyone remember Booger's Movie about the CIA Murdering Innocent Muslims, so as to get One Faction, fighting Another? Did that Movie make our People, in those Countries, SAFER? Or, did it make them LEASS SAFE. Did it Help us us, or did it HURT us, as we tried to gain Allies, and Trust, from Arabs who could Help Us in our fight against a Cult of Death, that threatens the Civilized World?

I wouldn't see anything done by this Piece of GARBAGE, even if they were giving out Hundred Dollar Bills, at the door.

I wish he would DIE, already. And take all of the Useless pieces of Human FILTH, and Anti-American SC*MBAGS with him. And, that means ALL OF THEM.

Hey, Al Qaeda. Have you ever thought of HOLLYWOOD, when you're sitting in your caves, trying to pick out a Target? Lotsa Liberal Jews, Slutty Women, Homosexuals, people doing Animals, Booze, Drugs, the whole Camel's Testicles.

Did I mention all of the Liberal Jews?

Alice Moore| 12.6.11 @ 8:41AM

Hollywood is still useful in its idiocy to the Left and Islamists. It's sad to say that Hollywood won't expire because of the withholding of consumer dollars.

If the Left truly wins, it is then that these purveyors that suffer from psychotic self loathing projectionism will be discarded in the Left's historical manner.

Seek| 12.6.11 @ 12:24PM

Christian fundamentalism can be seen a kind of idiocy in its own right.

Mike Hawk | 12.6.11 @ 5:52PM

Hmmm. Who would you rather be alone with?? A Christian fundamentalist or a Muslim fudamentalist. With one your life will be shortened considerably. Guess which one.

Negro X| 12.6.11 @ 8:11AM

I doubt anything starring the liberal clooney buffoon worth watching.

Maddox| 12.6.11 @ 8:38AM

Ditto!

Dave | 12.6.11 @ 9:06AM

The movie begins with a voiceover: "Paradise can go f*** itself."

Cute! Matter of fact, I'd like to invite George Clooney to go do the same thing to ... himself.

But that's just me. Your invite may vary.

Dipesto| 12.6.11 @ 9:35AM

I'm still trying to figure why The Men Who Stare at Goats was financed and completed and given to movie goers as a theatre experience. Clooney has a lot of 'spailin' to do on that one.

Naturalborn Texicanette| 12.6.11 @ 9:50AM

I refuse to put any of my money in Clooney's radical, liberal pocket....I don't care what the reviews say, or what media he uses.

I choose NOT to go to any type of event/entertainment with his name on it or associated with him.

sclemens| 12.6.11 @ 10:09AM

The list of movies I refuse to watch (based upon Clooney, Penn, Baldwin, et. al.) continues to grow. Strangely, I don't feel in the least bit culturally deprived - maybe even better for it?

Seek| 12.6.11 @ 12:29PM

What makes you think that an actor's off-camera views translates into on-camera Left agitprop? In fact, I HAVE seen most of Clooney's films (e.g., "Up in the Air," "The Ides of March," "Out of Sight," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" "Intolerable Cruelty," "Burn After Reading" -- the last three being Coen Brothers productions). They happen to be a lot more intelligent than the crap that passes for the "Golden Age." And, yes, I'm on the Right.

Claire| 12.6.11 @ 11:06AM

No doubt Cloony's political views are annoying and in-your-face; it's tempting to boycott his movies and in fact, I've not seen most of them. On the other hand, I enjoy the escapism of the movie theater and find it good medicine for a stressful day or week - in this case, I'm willing to be superficial and judge his performance in the movie, not his stupid politics.

It's hard to know where to draw the line at boycotting celebrities. I once found the wikipedia page of a famous food network celeb and unfortunately, I read it. I could never watch her program again.

voce| 12.6.11 @ 12:07PM

Claire, let me ask you then...

How do you find soul feeding escapism in a movie theater? (We're talking mainstream movies, not the very rare old classics or the movies made by no-names that never get seen by more than a half million people worldwide. We're talking the big Hollywood productions.)

A reader with input above refers to a big expletive line right at the opening of this Clooney film. So that probably means more vulgarities follow. We already know that marital infidelity is part of the plot. I would estimate that Cloony's character justifies a bit of a fling of his own as 1) his wife is in a coma and cannot meet his selfish needs, and 2) turnabout is fair play. Plus as he is obviously going to be wealthier in due course, women find him now more attractive and he is not averse to their attentions. Yet he is married. Has responsibilities. And is to keep his priorities in order. Fatherhood, for one. Demonstrating devotion, values, and fidelity to his children.

Probably not what occurs, eh?

I could go on, but without even seeing this film (or any of the others that currently run), the assault on one's sensibilities is ongoing. Isn't the end result mind-numbness? Your mind. (we only have one, it's not like losing a kidney)

I endured a Fox News late night segment with Geraldo the other night. I was sitting with an elderly relative who likes to see these things and then discuss them with me. Geraldo's show seemed so much like what he did long before Fox even existed. This show featured some middle class white male father of three older boys who dates on the internet and picks up younger women. The focus was on his "date" with a younger woman in Aruba, a woman who is now no longer alive. I won't cover the details, but I kept thinking: This is what being a Dad is in America today? Living a life in front of your boys that is manifestly hedonistic from A to Z every day? No shame in shagging women in front of your boys and

I posit that the movies of today (and the last 30 years) are pickling your brain and you are going along for the ride -- willfully. Not a good place to be.

So it must be the same with you and so much of the Prime Time TV offerings of the last decades? Are you one who helped make "Friends" the TV Blockbuster? Sex in the City? Desperate Housewives?

Boycotting? No. It's called making real value choices. Life choices.

You need escapism? Why? Okay, try volunteering somewhere. The local Boys and Girls Club. Scouting. A book club (good books only). Tutoring. ESOL teaching. Preparing holiday meals for people who cannot. Or just walk a nature trail near you.

Your brain may well be so pickled already that you don't get what I am writing here. I sincerely hope otherwise. Movies are garbage. And those that wallow in the garbage are/become garbage themselves.

--- remarks ALSO intended for Mr. James Bowman, the author of this piece ---

Claire| 12.6.11 @ 1:07PM

-One of the reasons I liked this film is that it portrayed characters that very well could be neighbors or friends (aside, from the millionaire part), but in a compelling way that was not either 1) boring or 2) absurd.

-I also loved My Cousin Vinny, which used the f-word continuously throughout the film.

-I've never watched any of the television shows you reference.

-I can't get out of the world; I live in it. Doesn't mean I talk like some of these movie characters (but I probably will make, no I will make many stupid, thoughtless decisions in my life; consequence of being a Sinner in a Sinful world. This movie, in my opinion, is an honest look at what a real family might look like.

-You don't like one of my methods of escape. Big deal.

Tina B| 12.6.11 @ 2:26PM

I support you Claire, and as much as I hate what Clooney spouts outside of his movies, I enjoyed "Brother, Where Art Thou" and the music included some good stuff too. I may end up renting "Descendants" after this review.

I try to remember that we are in the world and not of the world, and not to compromise, but there is something to be said for pure escapism. To laugh is wonderful, and the Coen brothers can really make me laugh.

So I avoid the likes of the most liberal Hollywood blabbermouths, and I have a son who rents flicks as cheaply as possible, and try to contribute as little as possible to get my escapism.

If I watch movies I know my grandkids are going to see, I can discuss the Hollywood worldview versus Christ's worldview in very real ways. I can turn pretty much anything into a life lesson about the Way of the Lord. It works for movies too.

Ed| 12.6.11 @ 11:38AM

As a frequent visitor to Hawaii, there is an aspect to its culture that people need to be aware of. Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family, and it dominates local affairs. Ohana can include Haoles (whites), Asians, Pacific Islanders, and of course, Native Hawaiians. If you don't have family ties out there (formal or informal), you are a malihini (visitor, or guest), and can never become a kama'aina (local resident). Hawaii is a Democrat state, but it is more like Arkansas or Kentucky than California. Ohana is everything.

The Clintidote| 12.6.11 @ 4:27PM

I've found Hawaii far more racist than Arkansas or Kentucky - or any southern state.

They don't mind mooching our cash, though.

Citizen Jerry| 12.6.11 @ 12:45PM

"As good an American movie as you're likely to see these days." That's hardly a ringing endorsement.

I'll pass, as most contemporary movies, even the most innocuous ones, have to get in at least one anti-conservative sucker punch. As Muppets Waldorf and Statler would say: "I've seen detergents that left a better film than this."

Also, I'm not giving a nickel of my money to someone as annoying as George Clooney.

loulou| 12.6.11 @ 3:09PM

Nope, can't go see this movie--George Clooney is in it. I don't care how good it is or isn't.

Tina B| 12.6.11 @ 3:29PM

I am leaning your way loulou, thanks for being strong.

I had a great discussion with a couple yesterday about buying Chinese goods. I try my best not to, but they never buy Chinese made goods. They find they just don't need the item if it only comes from China. And they are budget conscious.

I respect you folks for standing on your principles regardless of the inconvenience. I learn from you.

idalily| 12.6.11 @ 3:41PM

I'll pass. Clooney turns my stomach. Ditto for Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Babs, and many, many others. I don't mind if an actor has a political opinion different from mine. But I'll be damned if I'll have them shove their opinions down my throat while I hand them my money. No thanks. In my family, we have pretty much stopped going to movies and we haven't missed it. Board games are our thing nowadays.

Natural Born Texicanette| 12.6.11 @ 4:19PM

NOT to see Clooney movies is MY choice.

I have to make a decision base on my morals and values.

I am NOT suggesting anyone else should not make their OWN decision about Clooney.

Nuff' said.

Natural Born Texicanette| 12.6.11 @ 4:20PM

I agree with idalily. I'm NOT handing over my money to help them promote their liberal agendas.

Most movies these days are pure trash anyway.....

Citizen Jerry| 12.6.11 @ 6:37PM

And the concessions are far too expensive.

Larryas| 12.6.11 @ 5:27PM

Worst movie I have seen for a while. The Clooney character was pathetic as a father and husband. Absolutely no redeming message in this film. I was offended by a cast of selfish, self-obsessed characters who were only looking for someone to meet their personal needs. Clooney was chief of them all.

voce| 12.7.11 @ 4:08AM

Larry, thank you for the succinct review. I'll take yours over this article writer's 'critique' any day.

There is nothing that Hollywood (or even Bollywood now) serves up that is worth a. wasting the time, b. losing a piece of your virtue over.

And that is what happens. Simply sitting like a sack of coal in a theatre or at home absorbing Hollywood heaps of hedonism ends in a really shallow and angry life.

Why is that so hard to understand?

If you need a kick in life (a positive life kick) go use your hands, feet, head, and heart for others.

There is no comparison. Either veg or decide to really live.

It is indeed that simple.

somnolence| 12.6.11 @ 5:35PM

About Schmidt is the WORST movie I have ever seen, so I won't be patronizing this one. But thanks for the review. Sounds like an absolute dud to me, and as bad as it sounds, can't be helped with Clooney in it.

Mike Hawk | 12.6.11 @ 5:58PM

If this is the best Hollyweird can do, the rest must be real stinkers. I don't go to the movies as in my judgement most if not all of them are garbage. Last one I saw was the last Rocky movie. It had no profanity, nudity and no ugly gratitous violence. Yea, these days not a winner by Hollyweird standards, but my son and his buds loved it. So did I, especially Rocky's advice to his son. A winner.

e track from saq| 12.6.11 @ 6:20PM

The movie experience not being what it used to be.
Really stupid actors tip my point,and I can't stomach the so called entertainment.Plus I worry that some of that overflowing liberal crap that emanates from those weak thespians will somehow stick on me.

Naturalborn Texicanette| 12.6.11 @ 9:01PM

That's the beauty of being an American......we may not all agree/disagree....but we DO STILL get to CHOOSE what we think or do!!! As long as it's not against the law........

So far............................. :)

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Zak Klemmer| 12.7.11 @ 12:40PM

You all might as well kill your TV along with the boycott of leftist Hollywood (Fox News too).

somnolence| 12.7.11 @ 5:00PM

"The Golden Age" did INDEED offer true escape and fantasy for the moviegoer, without insulting his or her intellilgence. The best movies, to me at least, don't always reflect the real world we live in. As far as TV, I do miss Ward Cleaver and Jim Anderson types as the head of the household. When I compare them to the Raymond reruns on TV Land, they outshine the sermons of most televangelists these days. Those days are gone, but at least in the media of the times the message was sent out to ask the best of ourselves, not rant about the ----------ing line in front of the modern day box office.

Dipesto| 12.7.11 @ 7:09PM

I like "Raymond." The Barones are about as close to domestic family reality as TV has given us. (The Louds are a special case.) I grew up in a Barone-type family. On a tangent re TV, Harry Morgan passed away today, on Pearle Harbor Day; Col. Potter was the only attempt done on TV to create a character who was an old lifer from the old cavalry era Army.

POST American| 12.8.11 @ 3:28AM

---------------------FINAL WORD------------------------

AS, just hours ago, we learn:

"GOV'T Activates FEMA CAMPS Nationwide'
-Kurt Nimmo
INFOWARS
(hours ago)

And this just days after, ON RECORD, the
House passes measures to 'disappear'
AMerican citizens abroad --AND at home

----BEHOLD HOLLYWOOD!----

---While BALKING the horrifically relevant
KOREAN WAR thru 40 solid years ---while
spewing endless, self-basting WWII retreads,
----Hollywood this, most ominous, X-mas season,
gives us ---WWI ---and Spielberg's horse worship!

---------------HUAC/ Nuremberg 2012----------------

-----------------IN THE NAME OF GOD----------------

terry| 12.19.11 @ 12:39PM

wow, saw this movie this weekend. I thought it would never end. I swear, it went on FOREVER. Clooney andthe director are obviously in love with Clooney but as a straight male it's too much Clooney. I knew from the beginning that Clooneys character would end up not selling the land to the greedy developers because,well, it's Clooney. This movie will not make you emotionally involved because there is no real emotion in the movie. Clooney is very wealthy but drives a little crappy toyota, his kids are morally bankrupt, his wife was an alcoholic cheater loser, the whole movie is long drawn out shots of Clooneys mug orhis wife on her deathbed. Oy, it was so boring and improbable. It is amazing that anyone could recommend someone to go see this snoozer.

Georgia Xanthopoulou | 1.14.12 @ 1:51PM

George Clooney, the sea and sun of Hawaii, floral patterns. Still, this isn’t the part one would expect someone with Clooney’s star image would take on. All those who imagined a suntanned Clooney who frolics in Hawaiian waters with a love interest by his side to keep him warm, should go watch The Descendants with no such expectations. Clooney’s character is that of a man in a masculinity crisis, as he is found in a situation where his wife is in a coma and he has to learn how to be a father and a family man. Apart from coping with his two daughters who, in their turn, try to cope with their mother being in the hospital, he also has to make a big financial decision that will affect a huge Hawaiian community as well as track down and face the man his wife was cheating on him with.

The film claims Hawaii is not paradise and people have real problems, like everyone else. And I’m sure they do. However, the film doesn’t opt for a serious, dramatic approach to the story but, rather, goes for a lighter, breezier attitude, one that fits perfectly with the entirely Hawaiian soundtrack. The story is simple and a bit cooky, as are the characters, in keeping with the tradition of not only director Alexander Payne’s previous films but also with the tradition of independently produced dramedies of recent years. After all, Alexander Payne rose to fame through independent productions. The film’s sad moments are moving and its funny ones come out of left field, as they should. The story turns out as you expect it to turn out, mostly, which is alright, because it’s not about what happens in the film, but about how everyday people handle some everyday and some not so everyday situations. The simplicity of the film allows for the actors’ performances to shine through and really do all the work, as it is expressiveness and timing in delivering lines that really benefit films like this one. And they do a good job.

I must say it was very refreshing seeing George Clooney in a part that seems to bring out his quality as a comical but also a serious actor at the same time. The fact that Clooney spends an entire film being stunned and confused like a fish out of water was quite entertaining as well, since, usually, he portrays much more self-assured men who borderline on arrogant. And as much as the latter type of parts suit him, I ‘m going to go out on a limb and say that the former ones humanise him and strike connections with the audience at a much higher rate. Plus, from his cameo on Friends in 1995 to his role in The Men Who Stare at Goats in 2009, I would argue that funny suits him better than sarcastic. In The Descendants he delivers a nuanced performance which appeals to the audience not only because of its emotional depth but also because of the timing and expressions that make for good comedy. I feel it’s also quite telling of his abilities as a comical actor that Clooney is closer to getting an Oscar as a male lead than ever with this part than he was with any of his previous more ‘serious’ ones (like Michael Clayton). Shailene Woodley’s performance as Matt’s eldest daughter also stands out, as she is extremely convincing as of the difficult, confused teenage daughter.

Actors’ performances are The Descendants main asset. Ηowever, its spine is its script. As this is not a script based on thrill or shock or even a surprising ending, it’s all about the lines. While we ‘re dealing with the humorous moments or with the more emotional ones, lines are understated but to the point, there to appropriately highlight the tone of each scene. And while the story is not anything extremely original, it narrates the story of a man who learns not only how to be a better father but, also, a better person as he reevaluates his whole and goes through a journey in order to honor his heritage and foster his future. One generation receiving for the last one and caring for the ones to come. The one thing worrying is that his wife had to fall into a coma for him to realize what he needs to do in life… Not just sit him down and have a chat with him…

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The American Spectator Foundation is the 501(c)(3) organization responsible for publishing The American Spectator magazine and training aspiring journalists who espouse traditional American values. Your contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Each donor receives a year-end summary of their giving for tax purposes.

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