When Values Are Challenged – Paying The Price?

Every once in a while you get the sense that someone is valued for the wrong things. This occurred to me as I watched a special preview of a new George Clooney movie “The Descendants“. Mr Clooney is probably known to most for his debonair looks and appeal to women – which is not really in question, but much more importantly, the guy is a really good actor and makes some cracking movies, yet this often seems to be overlooked by film critics. In time, I believe his work will make him one of the great movie stars. Anyhow, the new movie is about how a family come to terms with a very real crisis. I won’t give the plot away, but it touches on key themes about the choices we make, the paths we follow and their consequences. This is examined within the context of a family living in “paradise” (Hawaii) and loosely plays with the ideas of inheritance. A good line that struck a chord with me was “I believe that you should give your children enough money to do something, but not enough to do nothing”. A pretty good piece of advice when it comes to inheritance planning and something that George’s character Matt King, finds woefully lacking in his extended family as the majority of them squander what they have and fail to understand the meaning of entrust or steward.

The film, directed by Alexander Payne, is not on general release here in the UK until 27th January next year, but when it comes out, it is well worth a look.