Up in the Air
Directed by Jason Reitman, 2010.
From the director of the much loved, Juno, comes Jason Reitman's next popular project, Up in the Air. Featuring the suave George Clooney alongside Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga, this story of life with no baggage, emotional or otherwise, is a telling view of a modern world where 'moving is living' and staying grounded just isn't an option.
Ryan Bingham (Clooney) is a corporate downsizer, ie. he fires people for a living. He spends 99% of his time in the air and on the road, carrying all he needs in one small, wheeled suitcase. He has no friends, his family have seemingly given up hope of seeing and contacting him and the executive lifestyle of every travel and accommodation loyalty programme is all Ryan needs. However, when new technology and a high-flying, rising star of the corporate downsizing world threaten that perfect lifestyle, Bingham is forced to confront what life might be like on the ground.
This film is a gem of entertainment, with excellent acting to suit a brilliant script alongside the quick cuts and slick directing of Reitman. The witty dialogue between the characters provides a smooth ride through this realistic setting and the humour that is undoubtedly needed to balance the bleak reality of Bingham's lifestyle.
Ryan is clearly a character made for Clooney - only he could convince us that the itinerant life of a corporate downsizer might be a good one. His good looks and smooth speech create a sympathy for what is ultimately an isolated character. Anna Kendrick also excels as the young Natalie providing a witty counterpart to Bingham. The two characters create the perfect balance between old and young, man and woman, the emotionally attached and the detached. With only a loose storyline actually driving the film forwards, it is these two, as well as Farmiga as Alex, that keep us watching on, waiting to see how their lives pan out in relation to one another.
Cinematically, this film is beautiful - a great soundtrack mixed with well-edited shots that highlight Bingham's corporate lifestyle come together for some great viewing. The acting can't be faulted, and with some great cameos interspersed, you'll be hooked on the dialogue alone. The love story is unconventional and the storyline feels like a snippet of reality rather than the traditional beginning, middle and end - but this doesn't mean a bad movie. Up In the Air will leave you thinking about what is important in life and contemplating whether those things that 'tie you down' are really keeping you grounded - ultimately, it'll leave you with that cliched 'fuzzy feeling' that you've just watched something different, something great and something cinematically fresh.
Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Up in the Air'.
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