Up in the Air
Video 
Editorial
George Clooney took one read of the script to say yes to Jason Reitman's follow-up to Juno. He could see the role of a lifetime: a suave yet haunted jet-setter intent on reaching 10 million air-miles as he skips from city to city laying off the workforce on behalf of bosses. He thrives on recession — topical, huh? Yes, but it's worth mentioning the script had been kicking around for six years, and only when the shoot commenced did it take on such cruel relevance.
Bingham has a system for life — he avoids it. He travels perfectly, flitting between meetings in business class. See how neatly he negotiates the hurdles of airport security. Hear his withering put-downs of the herds of clueless travellers. Yes, Up In The Air comes complete with a Clooney voice-over, one of modern cinema's most beguiling pleasures.
Two women will happen to Bingham in different ways. The first, in what seems to be a traditional rom-com, is Vera Farmiga's Alex. She proves his perfect opposite: the Hepburn to his sly-smiled Tracy, the female version of himself. You can see where this is going. Only you can't.
The other female is Natalie, fresh from business school with a computerised plan to downsize the downsizers. An indignant Bingham is forced to show her the ropes. Thus, besides the rom-com, it's also an odd couple flick. Anna Kendrick is the third of the film's marvels.
To counter such movieness, Reitman interviewed 120 recently laid-off workers, sprinkling their candid words amongst the narrative — a Greek chorus of broken lives. He was right about this one — Bingham has all the unguarded desperation of Michael Clayton, but is sexier, funnier and more knowing. He thrives off of the film, as does the film his gift of a performance.
Ian Nathan
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Bob
January 14, 2010
In my opinion this film should not be advertised as "comedy". You think you know where it is going, because it is supposed to be romantic comedy, but the ending defies that expectation, leaving a bad taste. I have no problem with the movie themes, but they are definitely not amusing.
Mr_Pussy
January 15, 2010
Yes, agree with the bob above. Its not a comedy. Its a take on the reality of corporate obsession and the pay off re the the GFC. cheers
PeterP
January 24, 2010
An excellent film. Go see it and bear with it. Unfortunately just as it is involving us in the story, it will lose it with yet another aerial shot of the city we are landing at, complete with 1960’s text – it won’t mean much to most of us. Worse than that, it was categorised as a comedy. As the other posts have said, it not. Although the punch lines are there to see from the start, when they do hit they are still thought provoking and even chilling assassinations of the modern views of Independence and Love. We are advised and endlessly told we can and should have both to absolute satisfaction. Whether we are 20 ish (the young assistant) or 50 ish (Clooney). This film is the best I have seen that exposes the myth. If you are in a relationship, or want to be in a relationship, see this film.
Harry Georgatos
February 04, 2010
This is a light sophisticated movie dealing with real people in an adult manner. Clooney and Vera Farmiga have never been better on film.
Donna Gee
February 15, 2010
Agree a great film and yep def not a romcom. Although the ending may shock it is predictable but this doesnt take away from the film and its performances. George has never looked better.
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