Up In The Air

Elisa's Review of "Up in the Air."

I don't think this was a "his" or a "hers" movie-I think Ben and I both were interested in watching "Up in the Air" as the reviews were very generous, the hype was good, and of course-George Clooney is the star.

George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a veteran employee at a corporation that specializes in terminating employees. Clooney's character has spent years traveling to small business where one person is let go, to large corporations where 20-50 people are fired. The role keeps Clooney's character busy, and constantly "Up in the Air" as he flies from one city to another. He does not own a home, is estranged from his family, and is only in a committed relationship with airline and hospitality industry loyalty perks.

And, he gets all the perks--the really good ones: Airline Club Rooms, Vip check-in at airports and hotels, complimentary rental car upgrades, everything you desire when traveling. While waiting in a hotel club room, he meets Alex. The female version of himself, their turn-ons include a one-up-game of who has the better membership cards. They quickly meet at a nearby airport hotel, fool around, and then look up available run-in dates while underwear-clad and staring into their laptops.

Back at the main office, recent college graduate, Natalie (played by Anna Kendrick) has streamlined the "firing squad." Employee termination can now be done over the internet (thanks Skype), thus grounding Clooney and his frequent-flyer aspirations.

Faced with the idea of "being grounded" Clooney begins to pounder his nomad lifestyle and relationships. The role of Clooney as a gun-for-fire and the resulting emotions displayed by those employees are fitting for the current economic times. Unemployment stretches between 9.9-19 percent accross the United States, clearly the movie hits with these uncertain times. A big plot reveal almost seems predictable while it is unfolding--but I secretly hoped it would not come true. Just as Clooney has delivered life-changing news to people throughout his career, he faces the realization that life can be unfair to him as well.

"Up in the Air" is a well written story and well-made movie. This is not an "alls well that ends well" film, but a depiction of the true realities of life. I recommend the movie--if you don't see it in a theater, most definetely check it out on DVD. It may be husband proof and definetely, is a conversation piece after viewing.


Ben’s Review of Up in the Air

Hollywood is very big on make up calls, especially in situations where it completely ignores very good films in order to make up for another very good film it missed the previous year. Up in the Air is a very good case in point. Director Jason Reitman (son of director Ivan Reitman and, basedon my Superhero Ex Girlfriend, infinitely more talented) came on to the scene a few years ago with the very clever and well performed Thank You for Smoking. Reitman followed this up with Juno, which was not quite as good as Smoking but still very well done, thanks in large part to a stellar performance by Ellen Paige. So now with Hollywood kicking itself for not paying more attention to Thank You for Smoking and Juno, it is ready to give every major award to Reitman’s latest feature Up in the Air. And with this appearing to be a very off year for critically acclaimed movies, Up in the Air may very well sweep most of the Hollwood’s major awards.

So here is the question, does this movie live up to the hype? Well…… sort of. Just like movies such as Office Space and Wag the Dog, this movie is firmly rooted in current events and will probably come off as dated if you watch it in ten years, provided we survive 2012 or robots have not taken over. George Clooney plays a corporate grim reaper who is hired to lay off employees at other corporations. If you have seen the trailers for this movie you know that George is happy with the fact that his job requires him to travel almost constantly and not really develop any long lasting relationships with anyone, including his family. Along the way, George meets a woman who appears to have the same interests: acquiring wealth; corporate and airline perks, and no definite commitments. George and her have several hook ups based on availability in eachothers schedules. George appears to be happy with his situation until he is forced to take a new protégé with him on the road in an effort to show her that in person firing is much better than being canned online. Predictably, George begins to realize, based on his sisters upcoming wedding and his protégé’s own realizations, that there might be more to life that constantly traveling and firing people.

So where does this realization take him and is the trip worth it, again well…… sort of. I was not looking for a huge payoff in this movie, but it does give you the sense that it is going somewhere and then….. sort of…. .kinda….. almost….. does. George Clooney is quickly becoming his generation’s Jimmy Stewart. Not really a character actor(with the exception of 2000’s Oh Brother Whereartthou), but he does a very good job at playing himself and really what more do you want? The story is a bit labored and in love with itself. This movie is not bad but it certainly is not extraordinary. If you can, I would wait for this to come out on DVD.

Side note, it is time for Hollywood award shows to cowboy up and start looking at movies that fall outside of the box. Because of the lack of critically acclaimed dramas, this may be the year that something like Up from Pixar gets the nod, and rightfully so. Pixar’s movies are not only cool to watch but, with the exception of Finding Nemo, are very well written and Up definitely deserves recognition beyond best animated feature. Also, for overall movie quality and originality, Inglorius Basterds and maybe even District 9 should be given some consideration. Just sayin.