UP IN THE AIR REVIEW - The Movie Messenger

Up In the Air is a dramedy film starring George Clooney and directed by Jason Reitman, best known for directing Thank You For Smoking and Juno.  This is an adaptation of the Walter Kim 2001 novel of the same name.

The story follows Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), who’s job is to travel around the United States and fire employees from his corporate company.  He’s a simple man with much depth, and he’s not much of a people person, although he wears the mask like he is one.  He come to learn that his family life, as well as close relationships with other people, are almost nonexistent, and strangely, he prefers it that way. 

His life is spent isolated on airplanes, airport terminals, and various hotel rooms.  When he’s not firing people for his company, he delivers speeches to people who are searching for an answer.  Bingham’s self-help speeches are basically summarized as it’s better to be alone, without the world pulling you down.  He believes in this, and thrives in it.

Thrives in it to the dismay to of Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), the company’s young goal getter straight from college.  Ryan and Natalie don’t understand each other because of their different values and perspectives about life, but they build a friendship when Ryan decides to help her out, even when her idea of introducing firing people over the internet threatens Ryan’s lifestyle he loves so dearly.  Ryan also begins to see a free spirited woman, Alex, for some fun late night rendevous during his travels, since Ryan and Alex share more in common – they both convince themselves they don’t need commitment.

Clooney plays Ryan with great depth, he’s stubborn in his ways, but we like him and understand him.  Anna Kendrick’s performance as Natalie is wonderful, honest, and vulnerable.  Expect a Best Supporting Actress nod for her this Oscar season, as well as Clooney for Best Actor.

Up in the Air is an exploration of one man’s understanding of himself, as well as others, and the ongoing understanding of why we need the people in our life.  It’s paced well.  The script is tight, with funny dialogue and conversation, delivered perfectly by the actors, simultaneously dealing with serious subject matter with much depth.  The voice is personal and has a heart.  According to the Q&A I attended, Jason Reitman revealed he had real people in the movie that had recently lost their jobs to play the fired employees.  This is Ryan’s job, listening to these people everyday.  It makes you think what kind of people have the heart to do such a job. 

Don’t miss Up in the Air.  Other than the possible Oscar nods I’ve mentioned already, also expect Best Adapted Screenplay for Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, and also Best Picture.  Since the Academy will have 10 Best Picture nods this year, I’m quite sure this will be one of them.  

- written by Anthony J. Gomez, The Movie Messenger - 12/7/09