Release date: 11/13/09 (limited)
Going into TIFF, Up in the Air was the one film I couldn’t wait to see. The writer/director, Jason Reitman is known for telling a great story that almost anyone of any age or background can connect with. He not only accomplishes this, but once again proves that he is one of the best at it. The story revolves around Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who is an expert in corporate downsizing and does the dirty work that other companies aren’t willing to do. He fires people for a living. Not only that, but he cherishes his life on the road. With every new assignment, Ryan merely soaks in the top-level status and treatment he receives at airports, hotels and car rentals. He goes from city to city, airport to airport as a hired gun and occasionally delivering motivational speeches. His job is telling people face-to-face that their position no longer exists with the company. They’re at their most vulnerable but Ryan Bingham does one better…he convinces them that they now can do what they’ve always wanted. You’re free to live your life.
“Last year, I traveled three-hundred and fifty thousand miles. The moon is only two-fifty.”
Make no mistake, Up In the Air is the most meaningful, thought provoking film to come out this year. Sure, you will be a little depressed and you’ll want to reevaluate your own life and determine what’s truly important. Then you will notice that your overall outlook on life will change for the better and a curious little smile will come across your face. This is one of those rare films that everyone will relate to.
Ryan Bingham lives a life on the road so to speak. He spends 322 days a year traveling which means he has to spend 43 miserable days a year at home…in Omaha, Nebraska no less. One can wonder why he doesn’t enjoy going home. One day, out of the blue, Ryan’s boss Craig Gregory (Jason Bateman) introduces Natalie (Anna Kendrick) a young, fresh out of school, know it all who believes that if the company implements a new way a firing people, it will save a ton of money. She introduces a video conference method where people like Ryan Bingham can fire people from his office…in Omaha, Nebraska. Ryan, in a hypothetical, macho, “my way’s right and yours is wrong” way wants Natalie to fire him in front of their boss. She fails, adding fuel to the fire that he has a method to his madness and there are just some intangibles you can’t utilize on a video conference. Ultimately, Ryan is obliged to take Natalie along on a business trip where he will show her how its done. Along the way, Ryan picks up Alex (Vera Farmiga) in a hotel lounge. Oddly enough, they connect by getting-off on each others “members only” cards and Ryan finally wins her over by admitting that he’s closing in on a milestone plateau for any business man or women. 10 million frequent flyer miles. I know what you’re thinking….some guys have all the luck. For a while, Ryan and Alex enjoy a very….”casual” relationship. Getting together whenever business has them within the same area code, or the same state for that matter. This is where we get a sense of Ryan’s true character. He doesn’t want anything serious. He’s perfectly happy living a life with the bare minimum of human connections, let alone entertaining the thoughts of one day settling down.
The performances in this film are altogether outstanding. The newcomer, Anna Kendrick, is a bit awkward at the start but finishes on a very strong note. Vera Farmiga is just as, if not more impressive. I first saw her in The Departed and right away new she was a great actress…sexy as hell too. She doesn’t disappoint especially in a specific “Bedroom scene.” In my opinion however, this is George Clooney’s movie all the way. I don’t think it’s his best theatrical performance or even most memorable. But there is just something that rings true with the life of Ryan Bingham and George Clooney which seem to mirror one another. An aspect of the film deliberately and premeditatedly induced by Jason Reitman who admitted that he specifically had Clooney in mind when writing the screenplay. A little human touch perhaps. George Clooney has never been more charming and naturally inspirational then he is here and will no doubt be nominated for Best Actor…and rightfully so.
Up in the Air is easily the best film of the year so far and there’s no reason it won’t stay that way for the remainder of the year. An important piece of cinema, a life lesson and a subtle reminder that there are more important things in life than how much money you make or what you’re able to buy with that money…especially in today’s economy. What is important are the human connections you build and maintain throughout your life. Your relationships. Up in the Air works so well because it hits home on all kinds of levels. It’s a near perfect film with a nice blend of drama and comedy. A true rarity.
“The slower we move the faster we die. Your relationships are the heaviest components in your life. We weigh ourselves down until we can’t even move and make no mistake–Moving is living.”
IMDb: 9.0/10
Rottentomatoes: 100%
MovieWiseGuys: 9.5/10
