Movie Review: Up in the Air

George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, someone who is not unlike a contract hitman or euthanasist—although, not literally.  Companies all over the country pay for his service to fire people instead of having the boss do it, so the boss wouldn’t have to deal with all the drama or the repercussions.  He is an ambitious single man who enjoys his free life of frequent air travel, with little desire for settling down or involving himself with family—such as his sister, who is getting married. In between flights, he crosses paths with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), another traveller who is very much like a female version of himself, with whom he has casual, non-committed rendezvous in various hotels if they're in the area. When the company he works for decides a new video-conferencing method spearheaded by a young, ambitious employee, Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), would be more cost-effective, he is assigned to take Natalie along with him on his trips so she can learn what he does. Throughout the film, Ryan and Natalie develop almost a father-daughter relationship, at the same time challenging each other’s ideas about their life.

Every so often, the film inter-cuts with various reactions and outbursts of the people Ryan fires, along with his “inspirational” speeches (he is also a motivational speaker) about leaving ground life behind, without any attachments, moving ahead without worry—his general philosophy (in relationships as well), which keeps him good at his job. The film, much like Ryan, starts off with a cold detachment toward his daily life of travel (with blue hues and frequent text captions of cities he goes to) with efficient manner, almost like a documentary. As the story starts to delve more into the characters, the film becomes more fluid, with ironic beats, and occasional surprises.

As Natalie enters the picture, Ryan’s carefree lifestyle is challenged and he starts to question his ways. The film’s tonal changes and character interactions all feel natural, and it’s nice how the film allows the poignant (and sometimes profound) moments to sneak up on you. Details are what make this film, and the characters that inhabit it feel real, and the dialogue contain sharp wit and irony. There are layers of philosophical themes regarding ambitions, disappointments, relationships, and mortality. Humor is aplenty, but they’re never there for humor’s own sake, which is what I love about films like these. One would think this is typically a feel-good movie, and it’s partly true, yet the film doesn’t always go the conventional route—there’s a lesson to be learned here, which I won’t reveal.

With George Clooney, I have a feeling he’s often playing himself—or maybe he’s so good at it that it feels like he’s doing it easily. He is the modern Cary Grant, and we like him even when he plays the cocky, self-assured Ryan. Vera Farmiga plays her character with a proper balance of emotional coolness and warmth. Anna Kendrick brings a natural emotional depth and vulnerability to her professionally cold Natalie character, who in the wrong hands could’ve come out flat. Ryan's family members are played with a proper combination of humor and realism, or as the saying goes, "it's funny because it's real." 

Based on a Walter Kirn novel, this Jason Reitman (Juno) film is essentially a road trip movie (except they’re flying)—and, yes, the various places they travel are not as significant (as cliché as it may sound) as their inner journey of their lives. I found this film unexpectedly uplifting, deeply thought-provoking, and full of irony, but also quite truthful.  I give this film **** out of **** stars.

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