The Cullen Press

I’m still flying high from watching “Up in the Air.” It’s an emotionally satisfying film that will lift you up amidst dramatic turbulence. “Up in the Air” is definitely one of the best films of 2009.

Director Jason Reitman has a knack for making anti-heroes the center of his films. There’s the tobacco lobbyist character in “Thank You for Smoking,” and a pregnant teenager in the Oscar-winning “Juno.” Now, meet Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) in “Up in the Air,” a corporate downsizer who fires people for a living.

Clooney gives a first class performance as a modern business traveler who is more at home flying solo up in the air than living with someone on the ground. Ryan even imparts motivational speeches about fitting all that’s important in one’s life into a single backpack. Alienated from his family, Ryan’s lifetime goal is simple – to attain 10 million frequent flier miles.

But Ryan’s life is headed for change when he bumps into fellow traveler Alex (the lovely Vera Farmiga). Like Ryan, Alex is also a consummate flier who lives for every travel loyalty program in existence. She’s the perfect match for Ryan who is now ready to make a real connection.

The romance between Ryan and Alex takes a turn when his boss, Craig Gregory (Jason Bateman), threatens to permanently call him in from the road. Inspired by a turbo-charged efficiency expert Natalie Keener (the delightful Anna Kendrick), Craig grounds his road warriors and decides to do the firing online.

Ryan, who’s on the road 322 days a year, finds the idea of being grounded both terrifying and exhilarating. For the first time, Ryan is entertaining the thought of what it might actually mean to have a home.

Based on Walter Kirn’s novel, the script by Reitman and Sheldon Turner is a shrewd look into failed relationships both personal and professional. What makes our jobs successful? What’s our self worth? How do we make our partnerships thrive? Why do we even need to connect?

“Up in the Air” is such a multi-layered film that at the hands of lesser directors, the movie would have failed. But Reitman is able to juggle the interweaving elements of the film. “Up in the Air” can be viewed as either a comedy about relationships or a drama about the economy or vice versa. Reitman astutely mixes all the necessary ingredients to come up with a thought-provoking dramedy.

Kudos must be given to the outstanding ensemble cast! Clooney has not been this likeable in awhile. The actor disappears into his role and makes us root for his triumphant victories — quite a feat for an anti-hero character.

Kendrick is a natural-born actor with an incredible gift of stealing scenes in every movie she’s in. The actress is one of the few shining spots in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” where she played Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) school friend Jessica.

In “Up in the Air,” Kendrick matches wits with Clooney in their many scenes together. She’s a stern but compassionate downsizer during the firing scenes, and an emotionally empty shell when she suffers a heartbreak. Kendrick gives Natalie heart and soul for us to care for the character.

Indeed, “Up in the Air” is a thought-provoking character study about our search for companionship and the need to belong. The film will make you run the whole gamut of emotions from funny, sad, and everything in between.

I especially like the scenes featuring real life employees being fired. Reitman used non-actors for the roles and their genuine sentiments piece right through the screen. I also enjoyed the film’s soundtrack and how it allowed music to become an important character in the film.

When I met Reitman for the film’s press tour, he revealed that he wrote “Up in the Air” in Palm Springs and he started work on the project with a question – how to spend your life, whether or not to spend it with people or alone.

“And as I made this movie it confirmed the ideas that I felt burning inside,” Reitman said. “That is that life is better with company, even if you believe you don’t need anybody.”

I cannot agree more. “Up in the Air” is a perfect movie that is best seen with the love of your life. And I predict the Academy Awards will shower the film with love this Oscar season.

MannyTheMovieGuy

This entry was posted on December 10, 2009 at 2:14 am and is filed under Movies with tags Anna Kendrick, George Clooney. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.