Released December 23, 2009
After making Thank You for Smoking and Juno the world knew Jason Reitman's name. It is not only his surname which we recognize from his father's iconic work on comic gems like Stripes, Ghostbusters, and Kindergarten Cop, but Jason has made a name for himself with powerful writing and stout directing that creates a reaction. While Up In the Air remains consistent showing both humans highs and lows, it also is the first recent film that explores the devastating effects surrounding unemployment.
The opening areal shots of about one hundred American cities during the credit sequence are magnificent. They are artistically woven through a collage which the music dictates, and even I became a bit homesick. The vast and dramatic geography of America is displayed beautifully. Up in the Air is a meticulously crafted through to the final credits. The story surrounds Ryan Bingham, played by George Clooney. Bingham is the ultimate mercenary of the downsizing profession. As the US economy is in the dumps, naturally his business booms, then it is threatened to change. The different places visited in the film are enough to feel like a tour of the Midwest.
A large focus of Up in the Air is in its title. Airports like the aesthetically pleasing and never practical Lambert Field in wonderful St. Louis, Missouri are shown for the first time since Planes, Trains and Automobiles over two decades ago. Ryan Bingham lives in a first class seat above thirty thousand feet. It is not a fascinating life, nevertheless it is a life that many Americans endure. At moments Bingham lives a comical existence and in other scenes he is pathetic, but never does it fail to be real. His environment is changing like the polar bear as technology forces industries to evolve.
Documentary footage shown through interviews are difficult to watch because REAL people show their devastation. Local papers recruited people with ads in news papers hiring people to share about the effects of unemployment. Really scary stuff to see. This is a primary reason for my praising this film so much. The choice to exclude actors from this part and document actual people who were suffering after losing their job is brilliant.
Clooney's supporting cast shines with actors like Zach Galifonakis (The Hangover), Danny McBride (Pineapple Express, Eastbound and Down), and Vera Farmiga (The Departed) who plays an extremely naughty woman. Clooney didn't do anything differently than in Michael Clayton. In fact his character is the same in Up in the Air and Michael Clayton, minus the vices and plus a few more silver hairs. The obvious observation is that Clooney is still Bruce Wayne, Danny Ocean, or Michael Clayton with control of every scene. He does a good job as George Clooney acting as Geoge Clooney as Ryan Bingham. It is the same thing that we see Al Pacino doing which is tragic. All of that knocking aside, Ryan Bingham is a believable character. However, he along with countless other characters in this movie are difficult to empathize with. The beauty of Up in the Air is that is shows the evil attributes of the human condition.
Jason Reitman once again triumphs and continues to be a novelty in Hollywood by feeding audiences more actuality than VH1. Honest and bold substance allows viewers to experience a part of life which is dreaded from various perspectives. People who argue that characters in Up in the Air are not redeemable are correct. The dark side of human beings needs to be exhibited because we can learn from it and appreciate greatness in a new light.
4 out of 4
(Review by Thomas Demerath)
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