Movie Review: Up In the Air (2009)
There's a lot to like, but it just doesn't quite bring it all together
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Considering how much time he spends in the air, Ryan Bingham's (George Clooney) goals in life aren't too lofty. His sights are currently set on reaching 10 million miles on his frequent flier account and beyond that I guess the friendly skies are his oyster, but he doesn't seem to show any interest in grabbing hold of the pearl.
Ryan flies 270 days a year and lives out of his carry-on as he moves from city-to-city as, what he calls, a Termination Facilitator. Yup, how's that for reflecting the nation's current employment climate? Ryan works for a termination outsourcing company that sends people out to do the job corporate big wigs are too scared to do. He'll fire you, hand you a packet and give you a few words of encouragement to help you along your way to a "better" life.
The cast includes George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman and Tamala Jones. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Up in the Air" is a Paramount Pictures release, directed by Jason Reitman and is rated R for language and some sexual content. The running time is 1 hour 49 minutes.
Addicted to his lifestyle for reasons you can most likely assume, Ryan isn't interested in the cubicle and headset alternative, but before it can be implemented he is forced to show Natalie how it's done in the field. Kendrick is the spark to Clooney's terminal bouncing, jet set lifestyle. She's young, ambitious and full of life and on the road, firing people just doesn't suit her. So why is she doing it? Ah ha, here in lies my takeaway.
How many of us work jobs that came to us from a friend or we sort of just fell into them? Is your current job part of your desired career path? Is it your dream job? Up In the Air's greatest moment deals with these questions directly in an exchange between Clooney and J.K. Simmons playing one of Ryan Bingham's unfortunate "victims." It's an exchange that establishes much of the film's remaining momentum, but the story is never able to reach that peak again.
As an acting piece, Up In the Air is excellent and the casting couldn't have been any better. Clooney is as comfortable in the film's slick-yet-sterile airport settings as he seems uncomfortable in the story's latter family settings. Kendrick is the firecracker with all of the emotional baggage and while a tear-filled scene midway through the film really didn't work for me, without her energy this film may have never got off the ground.
Vera Farmiga is the other lady in Ryan's life as she too lives out of her suitcase. The two compare mileage plans, debate rental car agencies and examine their schedules to set-up city-by-city rendezvous. Farmiga has always proven to be a talent and she has never been better than she is here. Her scenes with Clooney prove he doesn't always have to be the one doing the upstaging. In fact, that's one of the best things about Up In the Air. Clooney maintains his presence on screen, but it isn't all about him as it is so often in the majority (if not all) of his movies. Kendrick and Farmiga are both given characters with plenty of weight and both are left to put George in his place if need be.
Finally we have Jason Bateman who plays Clooney's boss and does so convincingly all while delivering the film's most stinging jab. Unemployment's on the rise? "Now's our time," he says with a smile. It's a line that could make you sick. It's a risky move on Reitman's part and for the most part he pulls it off.
While I'm not going to be joining the bandwagon claiming Up In the Air is some kind of masterpiece, it tells me Reitman is close to delivering one. His films have always shown he is a considerable talent and that he also has something to say. With Up In the Air (and Juno as well) I got lost in that tiny element that truly is what makes his films a "Jason Reitman film" and one of these days (hopefully sooner rather than later) he's going to deliver one that truly speaks to me. He certainly is a director quickly headed for auteur status, which isn't something I can say for most.
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Brad, what is it that makes all the other critics love this so much? I mean, why is this the current favourite for Best Picture when there are films like Precious and The Hurt Locker in consideration. I'm not attacking the film – I haven't seen it – I'd just like to know what in particular brings all the critical love.
I havent seen this one either, but I just wanna say that there seems to be a bias in Hollywood towards Clooney. He's an ok actor but every time his movie comes out there seems to be this unnecessary buzz about. I thought Michael Clayton was extremely over-rated. Just my feeling.
I actually agree with adu.
I think that George Clooney always plays very similar characters in all his movies – sure he does this well, but he essentially plays himself. I have yet to see this movie, so it could be different here.
I was waiting for your review. lol.
I saw this Wednesday and I liked it, but I wasn’t sure how much I liked it. I thought that all the performances were fine, George Clooney did the typical George Clooney and Farmiga and Kendrick were both great ( I slightly preferred Farmiga).
“How many of us work jobs that came to us from a friend or we sort of just fell into them? Is your current job part of your desired career path? Is it your dream job? Up In the Air's greatest moment deals with these questions directly in an exchange between Clooney and J.K. Simmons playing one of Ryan Bingham's unfortunate "victims." It's an exchange that establishes much of the film's remaining momentum, but the story is never able to reach that peak again.”
I completely agree with this.
It sort of felt like a rom com, dysfuntinal family/ workplace movie all in one. The third act was the weakest IMO, the part where he goes to his sister’s wedding doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the film. Overall a good film/very likeable and I did like it better than Juno. I gave it a B too.
I will not get to see Up in the Air until December 11, 2009 when it debuts in the St. Louis area. I look forward to seeing this film, since over 80 percent was shot in St. Louis. I hope it is as good has most reviewers seem to indicate.
From the trailer:
Ryan Bingham: Last year I spent 322 days on the road. I flew 350 thousand miles. The moon is 250. All things that you probably hate about traveling are warm reminders that I am home.
Although I can see where everyone is coming from here, I really liked this movie. It had enough meaningful things to say that it was worth seeing for the drama side of it, but enough laughs to keep me laughing throughout. Even though it does often feel like Clooney plays similar roles in his movies, he was a perfect fit for this part. The talent was choosing Clooney for the role. There is always room for improvement, but this one really struck me the right way. Possibly you just have to be in the right mood for the type of comedy.
@ beautifulm – I actually see the third act as one of the strongest or at least one of the most relevant in creating a more powerful fourth act. I won't give anything away, but I just thought the scene you say does not fit in did wonders later in the film.
Brad, seeing as you are amongst my favorite critics, if not my #1 favorite critic, I am surprised that I am strongly, strongly disagreeing with your B rating. I would say this is most certainly an A film.
I will admit that the opening title sequence didn't work at all for me, and a few jokes, such as "Would you like the cancer?" fell flat. That being said, let me explain what I found brilliant in the film:
It's already been said many times that it is definitely a film for our times, what with the economy in the shitter, seeing as Ryan works to fire people, and therefore it plays on the greatest fear our generation has, which is unemployment. As a 15-year old Canadian, this is not a fear I have, and yet I still felt incredible sympathy for all of the characters Ryan and/or Natalie had to fire.
Clooney was great, as always, and Farmiga was as well, though she wasn't likeable, but I don't think she was meant to be. She had charm and wit and whatnot, but overall I didn't admire her character, but didn't feel as if I was supposed to. She seemed to me like the antagonist the whole time, and she played that part well. As for Kendrick, she played the young, intelligent woman brilliantly. As for your quibble with her crying scene, it was clearly played for laughs, and for me, it worked. My theatre laughed along with me, as well.
Ryan Bingham is a character whose personal philosphy is flawed and tragic, yet he was still such a realistic character, and his amazing speeches almost made his "travel light" theory make sense. It certainly made me rethink my life style choices, though in the end he was proven to be living incorrectly.
The dialouge truly made the film. Whether we're talking about "Are you mad at your computer?" or "We are here to make limbo more tolerable", it's all clever dialouge that truly resonates. His speech to the groom, experiencing cold feet, while intentionally out of character, was very moving, as was his speech to J.K. Simmons' character.
The downbeat ending truly seperates the film from all other dramedies these days, and keeps itself entirely unhollywoodized. I still can't get the last line out of my head.
I recommend you give the film another look, and really try to allow it to settle in. If it doesn't go over with you as well as it did with me, well, to each his own.
As for me:
9.5/10
My second favorite film of the year, just behind the brilliantly crafterd masterpiece that was Inglourious Basterds.
Merry Christmas everyone.
@Mason: What's the last line?
@Nikole: The last line is: Tonight, millions of people will come home to screaming children, barking dogs. Their spouses will hug them and ask them how their day was. The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.
It makes one think, which is my criterion for a good movie.