In this current economic climate, a film about guy who goes around firing people doesn’t seem like a film that would resonate positively with an audience. Sure, the critics have taken Jason Reitman’s latest film to heart and if the Golden Globe nominations that were released last week are any indicator, the film will likely have a successful run this award season. The film has yet to open here in Fresno but is set for a release this week and I look forward to discussing the film with fellow unemployed moviegoers. Is a movie that is timely necessarily make it a better picture? Would I view this film any different if I was unemployed or had recently lost my job? Well, I guess it really doesn’t matter because in my book, I have to agree with the critics on this one: Up In The Air is a good movie. Is it a great movie? Not too sure.
My beef with the film comes from the cold, calculating Ryan Bingham. Sure, his job is one that must be done but like I mentioned before, during these times, it’s hard for me to identify with him, no matter how hurt he ended up getting in the film. He does what he does very well and what he does isn’t very nice. Although his humanity shines through at moments, I think it was to late for me to really care about it. Even at a moment later in the film where he could show a little emotion for a tragic event linked directly to his actions on the job he fails to acknowledge it, even in the slightest. Perhaps this is something one must do in his position but if it numbs him to the point that he can’t even feel compassion towards fellow man, why should I care what happens to him? And I think that’s what happened in this case: a main character that changes a little to late for me to care about him.
I do say, George Clooney deserves to be nominated for his role as Ryan Bingham in here. Now I can’t say if he deserves to win as I have yet to see many of the films whose actors are fighting in the same category but hands down this is one of his better roles that I’ve ever seen him take on and really gets a chance to showcase his acting chops. Vera Farmiga, who also who was also nominated under the Best Supporting Actress category along with her co-star Anna Kendrick, also did an excellent job but the rest of the cast just didn’t stand out for me. Not that I’m saying that Anna Kendrick doesn’t deserve to be nominated but I hope some other performances weren’t overlooked here. Besides that, the whole idea to hire recently laid off people to play the parts of the dismissed employees (essentially playing themselves) really did a good job of adding authenticity of the heartbreak and devastation of losing ones job, a wonderful choice from director Jason Reitman, whom did a excellent job here capturing those painful moments in the film.
I’m worried that Up In The Air relies heavily on current events and not so much on storytelling, which is well done but not sure if it’s Oscar material. I’d recommend the film but I can’t give it a top notch seeding in this year’s awards season race, although from the looks of things, critics seem to really be elevating the movie’s stock. But give it a chance and you’ll come out satisfied, if not amazed.
THAR MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS HERE COMMENT…..
I think you may be a little off base on Ryan Bingham's character. Sure, his job is a tough one and he may come off like a jerk, but I think he eventually shows that he really does care about his work and firing people as "appropriately" as he can. At first, we think this is just motivation for keeping his job and keeping himself in the air, but you slowly learn that there IS an art (and a heart) to his business. As for the part near the end where you say he shows no emotion… he does that to save Natalie's job, as she was the one who handled the firing of that woman. I definitely think there was some powerful storytelling going on in this film. It's certainly a flick that kept me thinking, even after the credits rolled.