Up In The Air

Whisking audiences away with an engrossing narrative about self discovery, the film, "Up in the Air," is a continental dramedy that is, straightforwardly, one of the best of its kind. Co-written and directed by Academy Award nominated filmmaker, Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air" stars Academy Award winning actor George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a Human Resources consultant whose job is to fire employees working for contracted companies, who are uneasy about firing their own staff. With his company taking a new direction to their historical procedural business practices, Ryan finds his life of living out of suitcase and collecting frequent flyer miles coming to an end. Nonetheless, matters change when he’s instructed to take a newly hired college grad by the name of Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) under his wing to teach her the ‘tricks of the trade’. As they trek from company to company firing employees, Ryan soon becomes more personally aware of his inherent lifestyle and the happiness he has yet to truly achieve. This sudden individual and personal unearthing facilitates Ryan’s understanding that there is more to life than simply working, especially in a line of work that requires him to be constantly on the road.

Jason Reitman’s wonderfully conceived film, "Up in the Air," is a truly adventurous piece of cinema. Sharply written by Jason Reitman and co-writer Sheldon Turner, this effort displays the sort of quirky world of business and the conflicts that exist within it. Balancing the more relevant business related aspects of the film, the presented internal communication displayed within the business world are truly uncanny and one that will make audiences rethink their own personal existence. It is that very moment within the film when Ryan comes to terms with the conflicts and compromises of living his own life and dreams versus the demands of the business world which are truly hard hitting and hit close to home. The scenes are so tendering that audiences won’t be able to turn away from what the film seems to be saying about our own lives and the limitless potential we have to be truly happy.

A different portrayal of Jason Reitman’s previous two features, "Thank You For Smoking" and "Juno," "Up in the Air" is distinctively existential. This aspect of intuitive communication clearly is not prevalent in the other two films. However, with its many positive attributes, this film gains an earnest feel that not only matures the film, but also the filmmaker behind it. It is this level of professional development that serves to rank "Up in the Air" as one of the few adult films that really speaks with its heart and not glossy looks.

With George Clooney at its helm, "Up in the Air" showcases a stellar performance from an actor who has made a career playing novel characters. George is just phenomenal as Ryan Bingham and his performance alone could be the highlight of his career. This point is not incidental or casual as it is this performance that will facilitate his re-connection, after a slum of somewhat repellent projects including "The Good German" and "Leatherheads." Also giving notable performances are those from supporting actresses Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga, who stars as George Clooney’s on-screen love interest. Both actresses are full of great depth, especially [Vera] Farmiga who’s serves as the conduit in getting close enough to give Clooney’s character some true happiness… not found at 30,000 feet.

At various points in our lives, I suspect that all of us find ourselves in a state of uncertainty and day-to-day doubt. For Ryan Bingham that unanticipated state of bliss is found in the unlikeliest of places and, like Ryan, we too can find happiness in places we might least expect it. At any altitude “Up in the Air” there is a summit of personal breakthrough and connection…and it all starts with sitting our seats in the upright position. "Up in the Air" will have audiences unearthing and discovering something about themselves. Clearly, that alone is not a bad thing and perhaps a welcome find during the saddened state of today’s loss of solemn individuality.