The tragicomedy genre is hard to master, but when the two elements of comedy and serious drama blend together, the results can be astounding. The Descendants is one such case. It is a sad and moving film with the ability to deliver great tension at times. It is when these moments are broken with awkward humour that the synthesis is achieved wonderfully. The film operates on a very human level, exploring the relationships and bringing out the tragedy and joy of reality.

Matthew King’s (George Clooney) opening monologue describes the common misconception of living in Hawaii: it's not all Mai Thais and surfing. Following a boating accident, his wife falls into a coma, leaving King to look after his disconnected daughters alone. Clooney leads the drama magnificently. He is a workaholic who, following his wife’s accident, becomes aware of his isolation from his family; the image of him brooding on idyllic beaches shows this universality of pain.

King has an initially strained relationship with his daughters Alex (Shailene Woodly) and Scottie (Amara Miller). All he can do is despair as his youngest throws deck chairs into the pool. But when he finds out his now comatose wife was having an affair, the issues become far more complex and he is paradoxically brought closer to his angsty elder daughter. The first reaction to this is obviously, “why would anyone cheat on Clooney?”, but when the shock fades, King is left with this information yet is unable to confront his wife, reduced to simply shouting at an unconscious body.

The three, accompanied by Alex’s slightly deadbeat friend, search for Brian Speer, the adulterer in question. Inevitably this results in some brilliantly awkward moments carried perfectly by the dialogue. A gentle, almost melancholic, mood prevails throughout, which is set against paradise beaches and steel string guitar music. The tension stands out perfectly from this atmosphere, guiding the rises and falls throughout. The result is real, human and emotional. It passes through the funny, the sad but ultimately the cathartic.