Paramount | USA | 109 min
Up in the Air is Jason Reitman‘s best film yet. The story revolves around ideas of compromises, responsibility and loss. Unlike the excellent Juno and Thank You for Smoking, this is more dramatically driven and less comedic, resulting in a much more mature effort from Reitman.
Ryan Bingham’s (George Clooney) job is to fire people. His ambition is to get ten million frequent fly miles so he can receive a lifetime platinum member card. Bingham lives his life without restraints, doing everything from avoiding relationships, going so far as to isolate himself from his family. All of his ideas change when he gets stuck with the “new girl” Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), who has come up with a computer video system to do all the corporate firing. Despite the fact he hates the idea of this impersonal new system (proving him unnecessary) he is forced to take Natalie along to all his firings to show her the ropes. During this period she convinces him that the life he’s living isn’t a life at all. She even drives him to try a real relationship with a woman named Alex (Vera Farmiga), who seems like the perfect fit.
The story is quite simplistic, yet entirely affective. There’s the comedic dynamic between Bingham and Keener that fuels the the film’s earlier moments. There are no sparks of either romance or paternalism, but rather a slight uneasiness since Bingham obviously contains very little respect for her at first. He believes she is naive and abides by ludicrous life ideals. The subplot with Alex is introduced early on but doesn’t truly develop until the third act. This is where the only major nitpick lies. Bingham makes a radical life decision by inviting Alex to his sister’s wedding partly based on the account of Natalie’s feelings on the subject. He has been living this shielded life for years and he ends up changing due to an outburst from Natalie. It comes off a tad unrealistic, but Clooney makes it work as much as he can.
The third act changes completely in tone, from a dramedy of sorts to a straight laced drama. This is where all the film’s most profound ideas come from. One of the many themes that comes into play is loss. It is an important part of life and it’s something we all learn from. When Bingham truly comes to realize he needs someone in his life it shows. At the end he’s struck with an epiphany and his life has changed, justifiably. It is obvious at the end that he will no longer live a meaningless life of coasting by without ties. He’s learned all this partly because of what he loses — a feeling of love.
Unsurprisingly, Clooney is brilliant and charming. While Bingham could have easily have been portrayed as unsympathetic and even creepy, Clooney creates a heartfelt and dynamic character. He is still quick with the deadpan humor while bringing an uncanny amount of heart for someone who hasn’t been living life. His performance defines the idea of “less is more.” Clooney defines subtlety, whether it be a slight glance or a minimal expression. Kendrick and Farmiga also deliver excellent performances. Kendrick plays Natalie as too smart for her own good and unsure of herself while Farmiga makes Alex as a replica of Ryan in many, but not all, ways.
Reitman shoots in a fragmented and steady manner, representing Ryan’s persona. He captures all the boring, empty details of a life constantly in transit; from going through security to waiting in lounges — it’s all there. There’s also plenty of beautiful aerial shots that make one feel as if they’re too are up in the air with Ryan. Reitman’s comedic timing remains spot-on, every intended beat awarded with deserved laughter. When he does inject humor it never feels unneeded or forced.
Up in the Air is hilarious, heartbreaking and even uplifting. It will leave one questioning their own life and actions. With it’s profound messages on life, Clooney’s splendid performance and the wonderful relationships he decides to finally take on, one will leave fearing (and curious to) their similarities with one Ryan Bingham.
9 out of 10
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