Up in the Air is the story of Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a middle-aged man whose job requires him to travel all across the country and fire people for their bosses. His company also helps to find new jobs for these people. Since he travels so much, he has very few ties to hold him down. He feels at ease when he’s traveling. When traveling he meets Alex (Vera Farmiga), another frequent traveler just like him, and they start a casual relationship. Then at work, Ryan gets called back to headquarters where he is introduced to Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) and her cost cutting plans for the company. She wants to make all the firings happen over video, meaning no need to travel. Ryan and Natalie argue and their boss decides to have Natalie follow Ryan on the road. Along the way Ryan begins to soften on his loner philosophies.
Jason Reitman as a director has a huge advantage. With such a famous father, but he is earning respect through his work. His first two films (Thank you for Smoking and Juno) were funny, poignant, and charming. Up in the Air makes it three in a row for Reitman. This movie was great. George Clooney is refined as always. He brings respectability and a charm to all of his roles. He seems so stoic through every changing situation his character faces. Considering his job is to fire people he has to remain calm and consoling even if people are devastated. He is in such a routine that his confidence is sky high and blaringly noticeable. But he is a very sympathetic character when his world and his views begin changing. He develops by unfolding only a little, visibly he remains the same, even though below the surface he is facing great changes. The only way to notice this inner-dilemma is through his eyes.
It’s hard to shine in a scene with George Clooney, but some of these actors manage to stand equal. Vera Farmiga (Orphan, The Departed) is elegant. She is a wonderful parallel to Clooney’s character. They play off each other so well. Their chemistry is nonchalant but still determinedly flirty. Then there are the scenes with Clooney and Anna Kendrick (Twilight series). They fight and bicker brilliantly. They take quick shots at each other, and at some points the dialogue is hilarious (my favorite bit is about men putting their names on buildings). Nearly all the minor characters shine. Jason Bateman is great at the sarcastic boss. Sam Elliott makes an appearance as a pilot; just having Sam Elliott dole out advice is enough to count as a good cameo (see: The Big Lebowski). J.K. Simmons and Zack Galifianakis make great cameos as victims of Clooney’s firing. I wish there was some more of Zach Galifianakis, his scene moves a little too quickly. Danny McBride does a great job as a future brother-in-law who gets cold feet. He is simple, sincere, and full of heart. Very much unlike his usual man-child persona.
The movie looks slick. The visuals are mostly great, there are a few camera moves that took away from the crispness of the look, but those were rare. As with his previous efforts, Reitman’s movies have soundtracks that match the quaint feeling of his movies. The opening credit song was, for the third time, a perfect start to the movie.
Up in the Air is another great movie from Reitman. Clooney shines, and the supporting cast holds their own. The music and the visuals mesh together to make this a pristine and shiny presentation. It’s won a lot of critical praise for a good reason. It’ll get some Oscar attention for the cast, but I don’t think anyone will win. It wouldn’t be shameful to wait and see this one on DVD, it’s worth a watch, but there are some better pure theater experiences right now.
Rating: 4/5
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