While films can often act as an escape from reality, two hours for the viewer to check their minds at the door and lose themselves in an over-the-top action piece or in a "dreams come true" rom-com, Once in a while, a movie comes along though, that reminds us what real life is all about; sometimes it's happy, mundane, funny, or downright sad; occasionally it's all those things at once. "Up in the Air" is a reminder of the reality the movies sometimes like to gloss over. This film does a tremendous job of entertaining you, but on the same page, reminding you how complicated and painful life can be.
Plot Overview :
Ryan Bingham is a professional job terminator. When a CEO doesn't have the cajones to get rid of employees himself, Ryan flies in to break the news to each employee personally.
Companies hire him to come and lay off their employees in a time of downsizing. Bingham spends a vast majority of his year flying from city to city, staying in a new hotel each night. In between firings, Ryan also gives motivational seminars called "What's in Your Backpack?"While flying across the country Bingham meets Alex , another middle aged travel hog and they begin to have no strings attached relationship whenever their travel plans overlap.Matters are complicated when Natalie, a recent college graduate, comes to Bingham's company and introduces the practice of firing people over the web.Review :
"Up in the Air" introduces Ryan Bingham as a man who lives what can be described as a life of complete freedom: he calls no place home except the skies; he finds such purely joyous pleasure in the details of hotel rooms, car rental services, airport security procedures, efficient packing and travel, membership cards and loyal customer clubs . We glimpse his closet at one point and see that he has at most three or four shirts. His apartment, whre he lives less than a few days in a year, is completely bare. Most importantly though, Ryan has no major human connection in his life: not with a romantic partner, not with his co-workers, and not even with his own family. But while most of us would look at such a life as quite miserable, Ryan couldn't be happier or more content with his choice.
Also Ryan is very good at his job. He has learned of the unpredictability of human emotion in times of stress, and he's able to roll with it. Ryan can traverse just about any travel obstacle.His most valued human connection is with Alex , a fellow traveler with whom he can hook up whenever their flight paths cross. For all of his solitude and the harsh reality of his career, Ryan is actually a pretty good guy who is compassionate to the human condition. He knows what he does is personal.
But when hotshot college grad Natalie , develops a plan to do Ryan's job by video conferencing, he is against it. It won't work, the terminated need to see their terminator face to face. Also, it would take Ryan off the road, and so to show Natalie how wrong she is, he takes her out in the field with him.The heart and soul of the film, is not a wise pro teaching the rookie the ropes, but the gradual glimpses at the real Ryan Bingham, the man likely only comes out at night, when alone in one of numerous hotel rooms.As Ryan develops his relationships with these two
women, he begins to change. A man who has been isolated by his job, and thinks that an ordinary life of love, marriage, and kids is boring , attends his sister's wedding and begins to see that he desires companionship. He wants love. Now I won't give away the ending for it is both surprising and emotional. The screenwriters make it good without getting all syrupy, nor melodramatic. This plot may seem simple enough, but the controversial topic of companies firing their employees is a big part to this film and the collection of shots used of actual employees reactions when they hear the news that they are "let go" is priceless and scary.
Director Jason Reitman belongs to a very exclusive group of young filmmakers who are getting better with each film they make. With 'Thank You for Smoking', 'Juno', and now 'Up in the Air', he has demonstrated an unparallelled consistency . Even though this is his third major film , he simply works like he is already a master filmmaker.With this movie Reitman proves that a truly great movie can be made with nothing more than great performances and good writing. The design and look of the movie are all pretty standard, rooted in reality and not flashy. I applaud Reitman's decision to film the corporate world with a slick expertise and then when the characters are out mingling in the real world, such as when Ryan goes to his sister's wedding, he films everything hand-held, almost as if it is a documentary.The editing is clear-cut and sharp, and there are some great camera angles, specifically with the aerial shots of the cities and the sky.
The film is dominated by its star, George Clooney who plays Ryan Bingham.Clooney's range of emotions and depth is something yet seen in his illustrious career. Make no mistake about it, this is the highlight of his career thus far. His eyes tell the story of a lost man who has no clue how lost he really is. In the end it is his journey we don't want to see end. He is the reason we keep watching and hoping for a running time that never ceases.Vera Farmiga shows through her character, Alex Goran, what a true talent she is as well. She shines in her scenes and has chemistry to die for with Clooney. She is perhaps the most mysterious character of all leaving everything about her to the imagination, and leaving the viewer always wanting more of her.
.For me, the standout performance belongs to Anna Kendrick. Anna plays Natalie Keener with the elegance of a veteran actress. It is nothing less than a star making performance which steps her out from her Twilight shadow, and shows that she can in fact play the game.Her stern, hard nosed and focused portrayal of Natalie is highlight of the supporting cast.The film also features small, yet effective performances from Jason Bateman ,J.K. Simmons , Danny McBride , and Zach Galifianakis,Melanie Lynskey,Sam Eliott.Parting Thoughts :
This film is highly relevant in these times of traumatic corporate downsizing and economic stress--people losing not just their livelihoods, but their homes and even their their lives.An important, meaningful & highly relevant work of art for our time and place.
Title : Up In The Air (2009)
Dir : Jason Reitman
Cast : George Clooney,Anna Kendrick,Vera Farmiga
Rated R for nudity
Country : USA
Language :English
DVD Features : Commentary with director Jason Reitman Making of Video
Trailer Link :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m-Da8Tz4_E
Torrent File Name : Up in the air 2009 DVDSCR xvid -camelot
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