Up In The Air Review

Up in the Air is a timely film circling around the life of Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who travels across America firing people for bosses who did not have the guts themselves. However, to call it a “timely” movie based upon the economical seems to me, to cheapen a brilliant film no matter the context. Personally, the film represents old Hollywood. A central male lead that oozes charm surrounding himself in a level of shallow humanity who lives in a complex and convoluted life. Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, James Cagney and now George Clooney, representing what seems to be the last star of Hollywood in this rather brilliant film.

This role is not a new one for Clooney with Bingham seemingly a concoction of Michael Clayton with dashes of Danny Ocean and even perhaps Clooney’s own persona himself, thus it can explain why he performs so well. This is not a lazy performance; it is more Clooney is very good at what he does. Bignham lives a vacuous purposeless life, with only one goal, and that the fact he remains impassioned the numerous stories of the employees he is firing, shows how at first, Bingham is a man happy to be alone. His transformation helped largely by Reitman’s script and direction This the George Clooney show, but he is not the only reason to watch.

Anna Kendrick (Melanie) and Vera Farmiga (Alex) are excellent as supporting characters, each clearly holding their own against the tour de force of Clooney with subtle yet powerful performances. Farmiga who smoulders with sexuality as Alex and Ryan enjoy a prolonged Brief Encounter sexual relationship. Furthermore, Kendrick plays Melanie with spark and full of enthusiasm although perhaps too ambitious in fulfilling her life goals.

All the actors are on top form and should be justly rewarded with Oscar nominations come later this month. However the efforts of Reitman as scriptwriter and director should not be underestimated. Growing from the success of Juno, he shows great control and panache as he subtly shows the transformation of Bingham slowly and effectively and we can see Bingham isolation as Reitman uses distant shots over the cities Bingham passes. The script is sassy, powerful and depressing with dark sense of humour throughout creating real and textured characters.

This film come Oscar season will do well and deservedly so and it is genuinely nice to see a film without masses of CGI and to see a director have faith in his cast and his audience. The benchmark has been set very high indeed.

5/5