This story is about the hardship and struggles
of a prominent Hawaiian real-estate attorney, Matt King (George Clooney)
as he tries to bond with his two daughters Scottie (Amara Miller) and
Alexandra (Shailene Woodley), and deal with a family crisis after a near
death boating accident leaves his wife (Elizabeth) in an irrevocable
coma.
Matt is not only a successful lawyer, he is also the Soul-Trustee
to a huge family dynasty. And now because of some new legal rule, he is
in charge of dissolving this trust by the lawfully forced selling off of
his family’s inherited virgin Hawaiian land. Although he is the
Soul-Trustee, he still holds regular meetings with cousins to discuss
family interests and prospective buyers.
It’s hard to understand, but for many of us, it
takes a devastating trauma to wake us up and shed light on how to
achieve happiness. Sometimes for others, maybe just the thought of such
an event.
Matt meets with his wife’s doctor who informs
him that test results have revealed that Elizabeth shows no sings of
brain activity, although machines can keep her alive she will continue
to deteriorate, she will never be the same again and will never wake
from her coma. He is advised to contact family and friends and
begin preparing final arrangements.
He decides to tell Alexandra first as she is the oldest and will be
better able to help him tell Scottie and everyone else. But Alexandra
has been extremely angry with her mother. She drops a bomb on Matt when
she divulges the reason for her anger and describes witnessing her
mother’s affair behind his back. She then points out the fact that he
has always been too busy with work to have ever even noticed. This news
puts him in a shocking tailspin and adds challenge to the burden of
contacting family and friends and also adds challenge to his obligations
of handling his family’s inherited trust. Matt learns the name of the
man Elizabeth was seeing, Brian Speer (Matthew Lillard) who also happens
to be a successful real-estate broker. Matt decides he needs to meet
him and offer the chance of a final visit with Elizabeth, which, sets
his quest in a whole different direction.
We meet Alexandra’s friend Sid (Nick Krause).
Oh My God! Sid is a trip! He has the persona of a hippie/ surfer dude.
As I’m sure you can imagine, Matt is not at all impressed with Sid, but
he does become a valued asset as the story continues to unfolds. Matt
takes them all to Elizabeth’s parent’s house so he can break the bitter
news. Next they are all off to find Brian Speer, finish contacting of
family and friends, make time with last good-bye, move on with family
business, and complete final resting arrangements.
My favorite part! Sid laughs at Alexandra’s grandmother and gets
punched in the eyeball by her grandfather Scott Thorson (Robert
Forster).
My next favorite part was a breath taking glimpse of the King Family’s untouched land on Hawaii. It was absolutely glorious!
And then finally in the end, watching the three of them, father and
daughters, nestle in peace together on the couch under a blanket to
watch tv.
Definitely another, Academy Award Nominee, Must See movie!
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