SHAILENE WOODLEY and AMARA MILLER: RAW YOUNG TALENTS TO WATCH FORIN “THE DESCENDANTS”
“The Descendants” showcases breakthrough performances from Shailene Woodley and newcomer Amara Miller as the daughters of this year’s Oscar contender for Best Actor, George Clooney.
In the depths of a crisis following a boating accident of Matt King’s (Clooney) wife, King has to come to terms with the fact that he has been largely inadequate as a father as he attempts to repair his relationship with his two daughters. Lack of parental support and stability have left both girls without direction. Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) is rebellious and has been sent off to boarding school. 10 year-old Scottie, played by first time actress Amara Miller, is precocious and in need of parental supervision.
Woodley plays 17-year old Alexandra, troubled daughter of Matt King (Clooney) who has to help her father come to terms with his wife’s coma – and her secrets.
Woodley is best known to US audiences for her performance as Amy Juergens in long-running TV series The Secret Life Of The American Teenager, for which she has received particular praise – including being named ‘Breakthrough of 2008’ by the magazine Entertainment Weekly.
Q: How would you describe your character, Alexandra?
A: I’d say she’s kind of a normal teen going through her angsty period in life and as a child she realized her Mom was going to be more of a best friend than an actual mother. And that her Dad was far removed and would show up for but not really have any communication within the family. So she built walls up and kind of became her own protector. She became very independent at a very young age.
Q: Could you relate to the character?
A: Yeah, of course, I went through my angsty period. I was probably about 14/15 when I hated the world, but that went away quickly and I didn’t really pull from my childhood for this character. For me acting is just about being yourself in the colors and restrictions of a particular character. I try not to pull from my own life or think about it too much. I’d rather just stay present to the situation in which the characters are being forced through.
Woodley plays 17-year old Alexandra, troubled daughter of Matt King (Clooney) who has to help her father come to terms with his wife’s coma – and her secrets.
Woodley is best known to US audiences for her performance as Amy Juergens in long-running TV series The Secret Life Of The American Teenager, for which she has received particular praise – including being named ‘Breakthrough of 2008’ by the magazine Entertainment Weekly.
Q: How would you describe your character, Alexandra?
A: I’d say she’s kind of a normal teen going through her angsty period in life and as a child she realized her Mom was going to be more of a best friend than an actual mother. And that her Dad was far removed and would show up for but not really have any communication within the family. So she built walls up and kind of became her own protector. She became very independent at a very young age.
Q: Could you relate to the character?
A: Yeah, of course, I went through my angsty period. I was probably about 14/15 when I hated the world, but that went away quickly and I didn’t really pull from my childhood for this character. For me acting is just about being yourself in the colors and restrictions of a particular character. I try not to pull from my own life or think about it too much. I’d rather just stay present to the situation in which the characters are being forced through.
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