THE DESCENDANTS (Rated R)

The genius behind the camera for “Sideways,” director Alexandra Payne, returns to the screen after a long absence with “The Descendants.” The extended wait was well worth it.

Not quite in the class of quirky director Terrence Malick, Payne nevertheless shares the same sensibility of not rushing to crank out an endless procession of passable fare.

As he also demonstrated with “Election” and “About Schmidt,” Payne, often a screenwriter as well as director, has a knack for dramatic comedies or satires that thrive on being observant of the human condition.

“The Descendants” is almost in a class by itself. Like Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” Payne’s latest work deserves accolades and awards as of the one of the best movies of the year.

Another superb achievement is that superstar George Clooney becomes an Everyman in bedraggled Honolulu lawyer Matt King, the primary trustee of a large tract of pristine beachfront property held in a family trust.

In his best performance ever, Clooney plays the part of a bewildered father of two precocious, free-spirited daughters who is thrust by circumstances into the unwanted task of assuming the role of principal parent.

At the film’s opening we see Matt’s wife water-skiing with wild abandon on Waikiki Beach. Then, rather abruptly, we learn that a boating accident rendered her comatose and in a death watch at the local hospital.

Matt’s oldest daughter Alexandra (an excellent Shailene Woodley), a high school senior, was sent away to a boarding school where her rebellious ways remain unchecked. Her problem with substance abuse is evident.

Meanwhile, 10-year-old Scottie (Amara Miller), a happier kid, worries that her heretofore absentee father may not be up to job of parenthood. For his part, Matt refers to himself as the “backup parent.”

In the wake of the family tragedy, Alexandra is brought back to Honolulu and workaholic Matt goes about the mundane business of trying to hold the family together in a time of crisis.

Matt’s job is complicated by other factors, some of which should not be revealed so honestly that the element of surprise is needlessly blunted. Suffice it to say that marital discord intrudes in a big way.

To say that Matt King is a flawed character would be an understatement. Playing the part calls for Clooney to deliver a performance that is often slow and plodding, and not the least bit flashy.

With graying hair and rumpled clothes, Matt is a man adrift, unsure of himself while he confronts his cranky father-in-law (Robert Forster) and deals frankly with Realtor Brian Speer (Matthew Lilliard).

An even bigger confrontation looms with a frenzied bunch of greedy cousins who insist on selling the ancestral land to hotel and condo developers. Cousin Hugh (Beau Bridges), seemingly a laid-back hippie type, is the orneriest of the group.

As befitting the movie’s title, Matt is keenly aware of his Hawaiian heritage. He is descended from a Hawaiian princess who married a wealthy white banker. His dilemma is how he will honor and cherish his lineage.

Adding to the dysfunction of the King household is Alexandra’s boyfriend Sid (Nick Krause), the stereotypical clueless slacker who at first provides comic relief, and yet later surprises everyone with his innate wisdom.

The genius of “The Descendants” is that virtually every character brings essential pathos, passion or comic relief to the film, which is realized by the film’s perfect blend of humor and drama.

With Clooney and the wonderful Shailene Woodley leading the way, “The Descendants” offers the audience the rare gift of being truly invested in the arc of each character’s story.

There is nothing about “The Descendants” that feels anything less than genuine, nor does it manipulate the audience. The humor, passion and emotions are real. Don’t pass up the chance to see it.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

One of the highly anticipated holiday movies is Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin,” based on the comic strip creation of Belgian cartoon artist Herge.

The Spielberg film will be an ambitious motion capture animated film, but you can get your taste of what “Tintin” is all about with the DVD release of “The Adventures of Tintin: Season One.”

The DVD release brings to our shores the popular animated TV series that chronicled the adventures of the young, intrepid investigative reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy as they embarked on globe-trotting missions.

Unfortunately, most Americans are unfamiliar with the great series of graphic “Tintin” novels, which were translated in 80 languages and published in over 50 countries.

Though Steven Spielberg intends to raise our awareness of the popular comic strip character, it would be best to experience the excitement and wonder of “The Adventures of Tintin” at home before heading to the local multiplex this Christmas.

The DVD’s 13 episodes includes several of the graphic novels, offering a great chance to be familiar with other characters like the crusty Captain Haddock, the muddled genius Professor Calculus and the bumbling detectives Thompson and Thomson.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.