The latest offering by Jason Reitman, the director of Juno, Up In The Air is a good dramedy that features an interesting and well written screenplay and impeccable acting on the part of the three main characters.
George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a guy whose job it is to fire people he’s never met before, who work at companies he’s never been at before, all simply to avoid their actual managers the unpleasantries (and possible dangers) of firing their own employees.
Reitman shows us how Bingham enjoys living a comfortable life on the move without any roots, anyone to be responsible for, or anyone to have to respond to. Everything changes when a young colleague tries to save the company some money without thinking of the repercussions it could have on the people on the other end of their consulting gigs.
The film flows nicely and gently transitions from a cynical worldview to a more humane one. As is always the case, a good screenplay makes a movie shine, and this is one of those cases. Nothing feels fake, out of place, or unneeded.
Clooney, the luscious Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick all hit the mark with their respective portrayals, especially Clooney, who this time showcases more than his usual four facial expressions. The casting was made in heaven as the role of Ryan Bingham seems tailored to his persona.
The movie has won critical acclaim and several awards, and is now up for a Best Picture Oscar, but its chances are slim.
A nice drama with a slower, simpler pace. A movie that almost seems to come from another era, when making a good, standalone motion picture was what every director aspired to.
Grade: 8
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