REELGUY'S DVD REVIEW:
"Up in the Air" the right movie at the exact right time
Maine Connection: Maine-native Anna Kendrick co-stars in this picture with George Clooney. Her performance was strong enough to earn her an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress (she lost to Mo'Nique in "Precious").
"Up in the Air" is a contemporary romantic/workplace comedy masquerading as a drama. It contains several incredible performances and exacting direction that never loses sight of the big picture. George Clooney stars with a strong supporting cast of award-worthy performers, including a young actress from Maine. Nominated for several Oscars but overlooked in favor of the better hyped "The Hurt Locker" and "Avatar" at the award ceremony, this picture could justifiably be seen as superior to both.
Clooney is Ryan Bingham, a man who fires people professionally. Other companies hire the firm Bingham works for to send someone, like him, to notify workers of lay-offs. On the side, Bingham is a motivational speaker who uses the symbolism of a backpack to get across the idea that people need to travel emotionally light through life. Bingham's world is put in a tailspin when his boss (Jason Bateman; "Couple's Retreat") seriously considers a new employee's proposal to change the department to require less travel; the firings will now be done by telecommuting. Bingham protests the change, because his identity is wrapped up in his travels, and is forced to take the young Natalie (Anna Kendrick; "Twilight" series) along to test the proposal. The trip is self-exploratory for both Natalie and Ryan, who become less certain about their own identities as they strip others of their livelihood.
"Up in the Air" could have been played ultra-serious or with a mean-spirited sense of humor but director Jason Reitman manages to perfectly balance a light, respectful humor with a contemporary exploration of corporate culture and employees' attachment to their jobs. The snappy dialogue is the freshest and most astute since Reitman's last film, "Juno." The characters grow in the course of the film but stay true to their core personalities. A modern, adult relationship is explored with Bingham and a fellow, woman traveler named Alex (Vera Farmiga; "Orphan"). They are humorously turned on by elite status and company loyalty, yet want no real commitment between each other. I hope this is not a premonition of where relationships are going nowadays.
The movie manages to surprise, upset, and make you laugh-a rare combination. The story puts all the characters through their paces, exploring several aspects of each main character's personality. "Up in the Air" is a worthwhile adventure but a draining one. Because of the contemporary subject matter, viewers may need to be in the right mindset to start this movie. But no other film could have done similar justice to America's current financial and personality crisis like this picture did. "Up in the Air" is the right movie at the exact right time.
Rated R for language and some sexual content.
