This blog is about the 2009 film Up In the Air staring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick. Directed by Jason Reitman of Thank You for Smoking and Juno fame. Also kind of famous for being Ivan Reitman's son.
I first saw this film on Christmas day 2009. It was one of 4 movies I saw that day. I mention that because I was alone and enjoying it. I remember everyone liking this picture as well did I. But most people I talked to thought it was really depressing. It is about a man who travels 300+ days a year to different locations for work. His job is firing people for companies that don't want to do it themselves. He enjoys his work and his lifestyle. He is free from the trappings of life. People, relationships, mortgages, ect. In fact he also has a seminar he presents about living alone and it's benefits.
I really connected with Clooney during this movie. I found it inspirational not depressing. Now keep in mind that was the first time I saw it. The most recent time I have seen it 366 days later, after having spent a great deal of that time in a long distance relationship with a wonderful woman I have a little different take. But first let me explain the rest of the movie.
Anna Kendrick plays Natalie. A young up and comer that wants to cut expense by not flying to locations to fire people but do it over the Internet via video chat. She is cute and a little naive. She plays the role wonderfully in a supporting performance that one of that years best. Vera Farmiga is the sultry female road warrior equal to Clooney. They carry on a very hot, torrid friends -with-benefits relationship through the movie. Several scenes (my favorite ones of the movie) felt as if they were ripped form the reels of a 1950's pulp thriller where the characters were allowed to say what they were thinking on screen so they had to hid it in the dialogue. Very sexy stuff. Clooney doesn't take well to Natalie's idea and as a result they hit the road so she can learn the ropes of what it is exactly that he does.
Clooney is great as usual. He is my generations Carey Grant and I have no hesitation in that statement. Vera lights up the screen and Kendrick couldn't have asked for a better launch for her career. The film has a few moments where actual victims of the financial crisis do testimonials directly to the camera. These felt a little too forced to me. I knew what the film was getting at. I didn't need to be hit over the head with it. There are a few twists and turns in the film. There is also a side plot about Clooney's younger sister getting married that works very well. So far Jason Reitman hasn't made a movie that totally blew my socks off, but he hasn't made a bad film either. There is nothing wrong with being the new Ron Howard.
So now how do I feel about my connection with Clooney's character? I still didn't think the film was depressing. I don't want to get into spoilers but things change for Clooney towards the end of the picture. It is left to the viewer to determine if is for the better or not. I think most people would think that it is, but I disagree. I fell the changes that he goes through only hurt him and forced him to lead a life he is uncomfortable with. The impact on me? It made me appreciate the wonderful things that I have in my life. My kids, my beautiful girlfriend, my family and my health. Not bad for a movie about firing people. I give Up in the Air 4/5 stars. Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment