Up In The Air

Up In The Air - out of 5

I am quickly becoming a Jason Reitman fan. Thank You For Smoking, Juno (if a bit too "quirky indie" at times but that's more due to Diablo Cody's writing), and now Up In The Air have all been movies I have quite enjoyed. I really like his writing style and was rather impressed with his direction and cinematography choices with cinematographer Eric Steelberg in Up In The Air.

George Clooney is Ryan Bingham, a man who is hired by companies to fire their employees so the spineless higher-ups don't have to do it themselves. Apparently this is done when a company has a big layoff, and in this American economic climate, this movie hits home all too closely. Clooney, in an Oscar-nominated lead actor role, knocks it out of the park as the charming and disconnected Ryan. He has become a man surrounded by emotions, good and bad, and the human condition but never lets it get too close to him, nor does he let his family, coworkers, or women anywhere inside.

I love how the movie explores Ryan's isolation in our constantly "connected" world and his relationships, whether it be work, romantic, or family. It is all very intriguing, as it is something I think Western culture is really starting to struggle with, if we are even allowing ourselves to be aware of it. Of course, my hope is that we can change this disconnect we all seem to be feeling and not starve our relationships so badly as all we've got is love and each other.

Okay back to the review, the movie really takes off (no pun intended) when Ryan meets Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga in an Oscar-nominated supporting role) who he starts a "friends with benefits"-type relationship with that leads to some captivating chemistry between Clooney and Farmiga. Ryan then meets his new coworker, Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick also in an Oscar-nominated supporting role), who is trying to "modernize" their profession from having to fly all over the country to fire people via skype-like technology.

These three actors all deserve their Oscar nominations, and the way they all intertwine in a scene after Natalie was dumped by her boyfriend is perfectly done. As the movie strides along, Ryan's whole "disconnected from the world" attitude continues to be challenged, and he really starts to question himself. Up In The Air could be a taken as a pretty strong metaphor for life for us all as we continue on in our shrinking world, the American economic crisis, and maybe some self reflection sometimes.

There is one scene near the end of the film when Natalie fires an older man that really hits you in the face as far as what it would feel like to give a good amount of your life (and youth) to a company just to have them throw you out on the street. It's not a slight on capitalism either, maybe more just how out of hand we have all let this get.

This was well directed, written, shot, scored, and acted. Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, and Danny McBride are all perfect in smaller supporting roles, and cameos from Sam Elliot, Zach Galifianakis, and J.K. Simmons are all a nice touch as well. While it's not perfect, Reitman is still getting his legs beneath him I believe, Up In The Air is funny, dramatic, and thought provoking. I'm glad it was nominated for Best Picture this year, and I would be happy to see it beat out Dances With Giant Smurfs In Space (AKA Avatar).

I will be buying Up In The Air as soon as I can. I highly recommend it. It comes out on DVD next week March 9th so check it out.