Movie Review: Up in the Air (2009)

Up In the Air
written by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner
directed by Jason Reitman


There is something wrong with Jason Reitman, there is a possibility he may be the devil. You see, Hollywood mongols and cretins are known for their undesirable dabbling with natures dark underbelly, the hand shakes and the scars are there to prove that. Jason Reitman may be Satan, he also may be the descendant of some unknown alien race of peculiar awesome, we have not touched into synapses and our head movies...

What I maybe trying to say is this, Up in the Air, not only is a monumental effort in direction, but also a phenomenally real film. Its so unapologetically American wishing it was French New Wave, its out Wes Anderson'ed Wes Anderson in its portrayal of our people. Its contemplative and sobering, its the film you do want to go to your neighbors house at 2 in the morning banging on the porch, singing its praises...

However, that may come across as a bit forthcoming- simpler terms, I loved this movie. My prediction is that it may take home best picture, here's why:

First off, the cast is dynamite, the writing superb and direction, alright I understand, enough praise on direction, its just masterful, I'm sorry can't help it...

Based on a book by Walter Kirn, the story surrounds Ryan Bingham (another oscar worthy performance from George Clooney) as he is some type of efficiency expert whose only purpose is to help companies downsize staff and give the let go people options in their futures. Its a futile and unforgiving business that has left him cold to the people around him. He travels for his job state to state with only a spare bag of luggage and a goal in mind. His boss (Jason Bateman) hires Natalie ( Anna Kendrick) who is a young hot shot up and comer who got hired on to reconfigure the process of firing people; over the computer. This jeopardizes Ryan's job, so while the kinks are being worked out, his boss decides the best way for Natalie to learn the tools of the trade is to travel with Ryan to see what it is he does.

We meet various people on the way, people who've been fired, other lonely traveler Alex (the always welcome Vera Farmiga)and a brief stop to the home state to attend a sisters wedding.

But what drives my brain to love this film is how it handles our current time, its not just jaded people with hip dialogue. Its about people getting by or trying to get by. The movie adds in heavy handed material dealing with tragedy on the brain that is loss, minimizing your life to alleviate weight, and ultimately doing what makes you happy. The movie does not do a dance and give you a schmatlzy look at the world, it doesn't toy with you, its insipidly realistic and depressingly so. It hark ens an old time classic feel, back to when film making was about human connection. I feel George Clooney is our new James Stewart, he is a flawless actor, I mean he's had duds, but he made due, you feel his Ryan Bingham is a fully realized person.

I will admit, this film got to me, on a compassionate human level, it makes you realize we all can't do what we want to do, or sometimes it doesn't matter if there is anyone to enjoy it with. Its a heavy movie that is portrayed as an upbeat comedy that is more relevant than any movie in the last decade, maybe except United 93.

Jason Reitman may be recognized most for Juno, this however will be his crowning achievement, a film that will hit home for many viewers, it may even polarize the whole lot of you, but all good films do, I would say this would be my vote for Best Picture... but, but- I do love me some District 9... but thats another story....