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UP IN THE AIR Jason Reitman Starring George Clooney Vera Farmiga Anna Kendrick Originally planned for a 2002 release, Up In The Air was pushed back to allow Jason Reitman to direct Thank You For Smoking and Juno; a fact which probably served the film well, as the economic downturn and subsequent recession immensely increased both the prevalence and relevance of this story. The plot centres around the daily activities of Ryan Bingham [Clooney], a jet-setting corporate man who lives out of his suitcase. His job, as he explains, is a termination facilitator - a third party mediator brought in because he is able to fly to any city, fire countless employees from any number of firms and hop on a plane, never to be seen again; alleviating all fear of backlash or reprisal. To say Bingham is a career man is an understatement, he has no ties, no friends to speak of and no real base of operations and that's how he likes it. When his job is threatened by young upstart, Natalie Keener [Kendrick] and her suggestion to lower travel costs by firing people using a webcam, he is instructed to take her on the road and show her what the job means. Along the way, Natalie peaks into Bingham's strange existence and the hollow emptiness that it outwardly represents but through his interactions with fellow airport hound, Alex [Farmiga] and the manner in which he deals with people's frustrations and grief, Natalie (and the audience) is exposed to an endearing quality and a slice of humanity that few are privileged enough to witness. So, is Up In The Air a romance, a drama or a comedy? Strangely enough, it's all these things without really limiting itself to any one genre. If anything, it's just a story about a man and the tiny events that change his perspective, rather than drastically altering his life. Clooney displays his trademark enigmatic charm but the moments that really single him out as an accomplished actor are the more tender ones. It is within these particular scenes that he manages to imbue his character with a sense of realism through subtle loneliness. Of course, Clooney is the focal point but just as important is the performance given by the young Anna Kendrick. Having only seen her in Twilight I instantly dismissed her but as Natalie, she has demonstrated that she is a more than capable actress with a great deal of potential. Excelling with every challenge presented to her, she displays many characteristics not dissimilar to a young Amy Adams. Like Taylor Lautner, if she can shake loose Twilight, I'd be surprised if she doesn't do very well for herself. Thank You For Smoking was a truly exceptional release and I often profess its brilliance, even going so far as to herald it as the most under-rated film of 2005. Focusing on the man's man arrogance and smarmy success of guys who talk bullshit for a living, it was a quirky comedy with a great deal to offer. In a way, Up In The Air feels a bit like TYFS's older sibling, taking a similar character and denying him the simple conclusion and cheeky wink that implies 'Don't you worry about me, my kind thrive'; instead, we're left with a curious sense of hope and an underlying feeling that it's never too late to change your life. Granted there are plenty of Reitman traits and signature notes but this feels like a more mature release and a backlash to the popular cynicism and workaholic importance of the late 90s and first decade of the 21st Century (I refuse to call it The Noughties or whatever they're being dubbed), whilst still avoiding clichés and neat quick-fixes. Release Date: 15th January 2010 The Scene To Look Out For: I would normally highlight one of the more comical moments or a witty exchange of words between characters but the scenes that struck a chord with me were the talking-head interviews. Rather than hiring actors to tear up the office, screaming obscenities, Reitman put out a casting call in Detroit and St. Louis under the guise of making a documentary on the effects of the recession. Knowing that those being fired on screen (bar the 3-4 actors for plot reasons) represent genuine confessionals rather than scripted lines brings the film into stark contrast and really puts a face to the reality of redundancy. A clever effect and one that illustrates how talented a director Reitman really is. Notable Characters: In addition to the stellar supporting cast, the three leads (as listed at the top of this review) offer something so engrossing and symbiotic that it's difficult to separate them. Clooney soars as he takes stock of his life; Farmiga proves that she is more than capable of holding her own and that The Departed wasn't a one-off performance; and Kendrick demonstrates that she is a young lady of immense talent and potential that should be closely watched. Highlighted Quote: "I googled you; it's what we modern girls do when we have a crush" In A Few Words: "Neither overly tragic or comedic, Up In The Air is a poignant and honest observance of the importance of human connection through difficult times told tenderly" Total Score: 
9/10Matthew Stogdon |
