When I went to see The Descendants, I hadnât read much about the film. I knew only that the performance by the star, George Clooney, had been highly praised by critics and that the director was Alexander Payne, who previous credits include Election, Sideways and About Schmidt. As I sat in the theater, riveted to my seat, I was surprised that the film addressed so many of the issues I encounter each day in my professional life (although, alas, my workdays involve neither Mr. Clooney nor Hawaii, where the action takes place).
In mid-December, I called some family business advisers who also had seen the film to share our thoughts on the issues of wealth and inheritance confronted by the characters.