It tells the story of a man, Matt King (George Clooney) who is going through a troubled time when his wife, Elizabeth falls into coma, after a speed boat accident. Matt is a lawyer in Honolulu and the sole trustee of a family trust that owns some thousand acres of land on the island of Kauai. With seven years in hand, before the trust expires, the King family must decide to sell it off to a worthy buyer. Matt is faced with this situation and his wife's coma, along with the responsibility of his two daughters, Alex and Scottie.
It is the story of a man, going through a a state of affliction while discovering the harsh realities of life that had been in hiding before his wife's accident. Of course, an actor like George Clooney never disappoints while portraying such a discomposed character. You cant help but empathize with the man, as he uncovers some truths that might make the situation worse. He is angry, he is confused, he is hurt and yet, he can't scream out and yell at the world for putting him in such a position.
The father-daughter relationship in the film has been handled very carefully. Whether it is his alcoholic elder daughter, Alex or the naive younger daughter, Scottie, Matt somehow seems to find the balance to guide them and lead them along. In fact, his relationship with Alex improves and the two team up together to face the ugly truth that Elizabeth left them to deal with. There are some parts in the movie that are funny, of course not like a total comedy where you'd be laughing till your stomach hurts but those scenes, which leave a smile on your face. At the same time, there are parts that wrench your heart and bring out tears in your eyes.
In simple words, the film is a perfect balance of drama and light hearted comedy. As usual, Clooney flawless and as usual, Alexander Payne gives you something to think about.
