Up in the Air

Posted by zoey on Mar 13, 2010 in Movies and Actors |

Up in the Air, starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick. Emotional and fun. Loved to see George doing some soul-searching.

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) leads most of his life up in the air, literally. His job description mostly is about flying over to whatever company needs his services and firing the employees that need to be fired. He does it with style, grace and professionalism, and without really letting it get to him. He absolutely loves the traveling and the benefits it brings him. This job might have been depressing or tiresome for some people, but strangely Ryan lives for it.

One day he meets a beautiful frequent business traveler named Alex (Vera Farmiga) and they hit it off, starting a very smooth casual relationship. Ryan’s lifestyle is not questioned at all by her.

The only flaw in Ryan’s life comes through in the shape of another woman called Natalie (Anna Kendrick). Ryan’s boss (Jason Bateman) is very impressed by this young and ambitious girl and her “innovative ideas. She thinks firing people can be done on the ground, through technology. From then on, Ryan starts to mentor Natalie unwillingly, trying to prove why the old school methods are best. But of course a young, hopeless romantic versus an older, experienced, proud-to-be-single guy brings out many clashes and makes out for a fun and emotional journey where both will learn some stuff.

While the movie has its romantic moments, emotional realizations and some relationships going on about it, it is not about two people about finding love. This is not a love story or a story about love. This is a story about a journey, being mostly Ryan’s. It is fun to see George Clooney play a seemingly simple but yet so endearingly flawed and complicated character. I missed seeing him be the humane leading man. I had had too much Clooney after Oceans 11,

12 and 13. Good to have him in a more sincere production.

I am not saying it doesn’t have clichés. But then again, they are only necessary and they are subtly and entertainingly played. So, it is all good. The movie is based on the novel by Walter Kim (who also wrote Thumbsucker). It is adapted to the screen by director Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You for Smoking) and Sheldon Turner. The cast is pretty good. Frankly, I barely recognized Anna Kendrick. I knew she was so familiar, but I couldn’t believe she was one of the actors in the Twilight saga. Nice job, Anna.

The movie was nominated for 6 Oscars this year: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Both Kendrick and Farmiga), Best Actor (George Clooney), Best Director and Best Film. Though it didn’t receive any Academy Awards, it won many awards- including a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay.

A bittersweet movie about life, goals, careers, matters of the heart and well…everything in between. It reminds me of Cameron Crowe movies (Jerry Maguire, for instance) and just like I love Crowe, I loved Up in the Air. It might make you evaluate your life or fear about your job many times, though.

7.9 on IMDB. Fair enough.

image from:

http://newsblaze.com/pix/2009/1128/pix/Up-In-The-Air-Movie-.jpg

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