UP IN THE AIR (REVIEW)
Frequent
flyer points get a workout in this tremendous new film from Jason Reitman, the
director of the quirky hits, 'Juno' & 'Thank You For Smoking'.
George
Clooney plays 'career transition expert', Ryan Bingham. His job involves flying
around the country firing employees whose bosses are too weak to do it themselves.
All the while claiming being laid-off is an 'opportunity', Ryan looks them in
the eye and shakes their hands before calmly delivering the knockout blow.
Jetting
about all over the U.S, Ryan Bingham is one of those smooth operators of the modern
age who skips between airline courtesy lounges, to hotel suites, to dreary conference
rooms without any distain of where his life is going next. 322 days a year he
finds himself away from his sterile shoebox apartment in Omaha, but he relishes
every minute while leaving behind thoughts of a family, a home, and productive
relationships. Bingham's mantra in his own words is, 'Make no mistake, moving
is living'.
After a suggestion of cost cutting to affiliate
terminations via telecommunications, Ryan undoubtedly wants to prove a point of
personal authority and agrees to take a young protégé, Natalie,
showing her the ropes of his grim business. Natalie, (Anna Kendrick) is a 23 year
old firebrand who dismisses Ryan as 'old'. She gets under his skin with her direct
observational comments towards her new mentor. In charge of an ultra smart wit
and piercing eyes, Natalie appears to be stone cold.
Adding
to the flippancy, Ryan breaks routine by teetering on falling in love with the
mysterious Alex, a woman he has bumped into habitually on his round trips who
also happens to be his female equal. Instead of the usual fly by night romance,
it is particularly clear he adores her. Played by Vera Farminga (The Boy in Striped
Pajamas) she provides a romantic turbulence that loosens up a rare compassionate
side within him. Neither want the weight of a union and a solid future together
- or do they?
Humour is used to hide the deeper and darker
message of economic hard times and the terror of unemployment. The film is filled
with priceless reactions when the axe falls on those people who are 'let go',
the newly fired individuals who seem momentarily isolated when pleading 'What
am I going to do now'. Dispassionate empathy within the dialogue besotted script
helps keep things fairly light during these jolting situations and actually entertaining.
George
Clooney is whimsical in his approach to comedy and deep into his romantic lead
persona, a perfect choice and without a doubt, Oscar worthy. Best known as Jessica,
from the 'Twilight' saga, Anna Kendrick, shows maturity as the unconventional
Natalie, but remains vulnerable herself when it comes to love. Minor scenes involving
Jason Bateman and veteran Sam Elliot are memorable, but the most entrancing is
the performance from the radiant Vera Farminga as Alex.
An
unlikely comedy and deeply romantic film, despite the subject matter. Travel bugs
are sure to adore Ryan's way of negotiating car rentals, how to obtain extra frequent
flyer points and even best ways to navigate airport security. Up in the Air is
fantastic and deeply romantic, but no member of the mile high club. The enjoyment
lasts much longer.
Shane A. Bassett
