Directed by:
Jason ReitmanCinematography:
Eric SteelbergComposer:
Rolfe KentCast:
George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a corporate downsizing expert - in other words, his job is to fire people from theirs - and he takes his job very seriously. He travels the length and breadth of the country, racking up air miles and living out of a suitcase, and relishing every moment of it. When his job and way of life come under threat by new centralised procedures implemented by his hotshot colleague Natalie (Anna Kendrick), Ryan determines to show her just how valuable his role is - but instead ends up facing up to some of the pitfalls of his lifestyle. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
(more)Videos (4)
Reviews (13)
It flies by like an airplane, leaving behind a condensing steam of nice phrases, textbook truths, and encouraging statements. All we need is for Clooney to raise his eyebrows and the world seems to be a kind place where even the biggest loss has its positive aspects. However, like the hero Ryan, above all Reitman's film gives the viewer a treated motivational pat – I was not offended in any way, but truth be told, I also checked out.
()
Despite my initial expectations, I was pleasantly surprised by this film. An original premise, a well-developed script, a nice soundtrack. The young Anna Kendrick was a great balance with the mature Vera Farmiga, and George Clooney, whom I don't like much, was quite good. Probably not the movie of the year, but it's nice to watch and a nice diversion.
()
The same old story. Reitman makes one movie after another, but he just can’t achieve the quality of his shorts. And here it is even worse because the entire time I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this is an Americanized variation (and I don’t mean that pejoratively, just it’s been adapted to the American way of life, the mood in society etc.) on last year’s Japanese Oscar winner. Unfortunately I get the feeling from this that it isn’t nearly as sincere as intentional, criminally dry and almost too “serious".
()
I’d like to fly one day. These days it sounds almost ridiculous, but I’ve never ever flown anywhere. But that feeling of abandonment and freedom that flying represents is so tempting for me... and Ryan Bingham lives in the clouds. It’s hard not to envy him. He has a super job that he enjoys (I liked that too) and it allows him to fly here, there and everywhere. But the day came when he couldn’t and his life begins to change. I’ve seen thousands of sentimental movies about life, but why is Up In The Air so much better? Is it the dry lines, the pleasant actors or the atmosphere? Maybe all of that and maybe it’s because each one of us can find a part of themselves in this story. Credit carders, glues or diligent workers. Luckily, Jason Reitman doesn’t stay at everything being cool and fine, but he shows the other side of the coin too. People losing their jobs. That’s what it’s all about. You have to be able to balance everything and Reitman did a perfect job of it. Imagine for a second that you're carrying a backpack...
()
When odes to Juno were being sung, I hung silently at the back. But when praises for Up in the Air were sung, I had to be heard from the front rows. George Clooney showcases his most natural side a good couple of years, Jason Reitman's script elevates the concept of "life truth", and that treacherously realistic ending still doesn't let me sleep. The overall impression draws you in so comprehensively that neither side can boo: lovers of people with a pleasant everyday feeling of a warmed home will have their share, as will the chronic travelers who may become unsure whether it really makes sense to start returning somewhere. Calm, intelligently warm certainty.
()
Ads