Just to be clear, no, I have not turned this blog into a movie review. The fact is, I have been seeing a lot of movies recently, and I truly enjoy writing about them, if only to preserve for my own records my thoughts on these films immediately after seeing them. I feel the experience isn't quite complete until I type a review. Anyway, to the film. What truly sparked my interest in the picture, starring George Clooney, was an article in the USA Today; a bit of an exposè on the ultra-exclusive world of v.i.p. travellers (people who have racked up ridiculous amounts of air miles, and thus receive special privileges). This is the world explored in Up in the Air. Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a perpetually travelling suit who's job it is to deliver the news to employees of corporations that their jobs have been terminated. (vaguely reminiscent of Edward Norton's character in Fight Club). He calls no place home, and enjoys this immensely. His goal is to rack up 10 million miles, at which point he will become a member of an ultra-exclusive tier of privilege, being only the seventh member ever. I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot, because it would take forever. To be brief, a young female co-worker of his named Natalie proposes the idea that his firm cut travel costs immensely by conducting all of the firings by video chat, thus eliminating the need for employees, like Ryan, to travel so extensively. Management is down with he idea, and Ryan is left to struggle with the realization that his days of living in the sky may be over. He confronts his boss, and Natalie, (the charming Anna Kendrick) about this radical change, and after proving that Natalie knows less than she thought about her profession, Ryan is given the assignment to take the her on the road with him to give her real-life experience. Apart from the pairs' evolving understanding of one another is Ryan's ongoing casual relationship with another frequent flyer (named Alex), played by Vera Farmiga, his occasional motivational speaking engagements, and the approaching wedding of his sister, who he barely ever sees. Throughout the film, more is revealed about Ryan's unorthodox philosophies on life, and as his relationship with Alex continues to evolve, there is a sense that his way of life is beginning to wear on him. The basic message of the movie was that the most important things in your life are people; friends, family, casual acquaintances. Ryan eventually abandons his philosophy of having the least baggage (home, possessions, people) possible, and it is implied that he finds a peaceful solution to his inner turmoil. I don't want to give anything away, so that is all I will say about the plot. Now to my opinions. I can't really even believe I got to see this film in theaters, considering it was initially released over four months ago. I have been meaning to go forever, and just didn't have the time until now. So, as with any movie you have heard good things about, and have been waiting patiently to go see, I built the movie up in my mind. I sat down with high expectations, and the movie truly didn't disappoint. It was my kind of picture. No fantasy, nothing blowing up, just good acting, witty humor, and an excellent plot, which was at times morbidly depressing, and at others fantastically uplifting, with twists that only the most cynical mind could predict. This was definitely a step up from Clooney's last performance, The Men Who Stare At Goats (which was so pathetically stupid that I couldn't even bring myself to critique it). The movie also forces one to look at life's values, and the different ways in which one can choose to live. One quote that sticks in my mind is spoken by Ryan regarding his lifestyle: "The slower we move, the faster we die". I tend to agree. Overall, the production of the film was impeccable, from the cinematography, to the script, to the casting, which not only aligned the stars correctly, but also placed actors like Sam Elliot and J.K. Simmons in well timed cameo-esque roles. I give it 3 and 1/2 stars, because I enjoyed it immensely, but don't think that, by any means, its an instant classic. I do like it better than Avatar, but that is a personal preference, and one that many will surely disagree with. Does Clooney get the Oscar? Psh, knowing the academy, he won't even be nominated. They may just nominate Daniel Day-Lewis five times. But, Anna Kendrick for supporting actress? It could be done yet.
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