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)Reviews (13)
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".
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A very nice film, but I’m not that thrilled, really. I’m still not the right age for Up in the Air. An Oscar for Vera Farmiga, the script, or the director wouldn’t make me mad, for best film, on the other hand, yes. 75%
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Reitman has grown up. He achieved the qualities of his own shorts and made the most thought-provoking film about the (un)ordinariness of life since American Beauty. I’m going for a repeat screening in the near future.
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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.
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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.
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A very charismatic movie about an even more charismatic guy who fires people from their jobs. He calls things by their real names, does exactly what he's supposed to do, and handles every (verbal) situation gallantly. I really like movies about people who have something in their heads... Plus I found the plot very original, no clichés. Really thought out. George Clooney, once again I applaud you!
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Up in the Air is both a bitter and somewhat cynical romance, as well as a psychological exploration of the thinking of today's American middle class, and last but not least, a drama about the collapse of the infamous American dream in the style of American Beauty. I would be cautious about classifying the film as a comedy because anyone who approaches this film as light entertainment will inevitably be disappointed. If there are comedic tones in the film, they mostly arise from the absurdity and contrasts of what is seen. The only moment when the movie theater warmly laughed was the situation where a young employee and a manager, who is a few years older with many failed relationships, describe their requirements for a partner. It is the story of a seasoned employee of a company specializing in laying off redundant employees of American companies. The protagonist is convincingly and brilliantly played by George Clooney, who can rely on similarly excellent performances from his co-stars. Vera Farmiga surprised me as his mistress. The film is certainly not flawless, as it has a slightly fluctuating pace, the musical motifs have a somewhat intrusive sentimental character, and above all, Jason Reitman lacks the courage to completely dismantle the American myth. This is especially evident in the reconciliatory ending and the testimonies of those laid off on camera, where hope emerges. Perhaps it needed about 10-15% of the audacity and uncompromisingness of Michael Moore. On the other hand, how many similarly significant sincere testimonies can we find in the film world? Overall impression: 90%. By the way, I kind of expected that ending of the romance, something similar happened to me...
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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...
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A well-deserved Oscar and another five-star rating for Ivan Reitman. Funny, touching, but above all genuine. I have nothing to add.
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I like Clooney, I like the psychological Reitman, I like Vera Farmiga in any position, and yes, I even like the quirky Anna Kendrick, so I couldn't really dislike Up in the Air. A romantic delicacy seasoned with great actors, between whom there is amazing chemistry, an interesting plot and, above all, an unobtrusive, but at the same time completely natural and purposeful humour, the kind the Americans pleasantly surprise me with from time to time. I also appreciate the lack of an annoying happy ending (i.e. a passionate kiss in the rain and other forms of cinematic romance), which was instead handled like the rest of the film – casually, humanly, and originally. Damn, I love this movie..:) 80%
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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.
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True, there were moments that seemed a bit forced, but overall, I found this movie quite enjoyable. It made me ponder a bit, yet at the same time, it's not a requirement as you can also just switch off your mind and relax. However, this film is far from mindless; if you pay attention, it has something to say. It avoids being cheaply pathetic, though there are moments that may lean in that direction, and it doesn't try to deceive the viewer with a contrived happy ending. Today, I genuinely enjoyed it, and the chemistry between George Clooney and Vera Farmiga significantly contributed to that. / Lesson learned: Sometimes it's genuinely challenging to keep both feet on the ground and not have your head in the clouds.
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Jason Reitman showed that it's possible to film a romance that doesn't necessarily have the ending you expect, and he set the whole thing in the environment of airports. It’s about a person who spends most of their life in airplanes, airport terminals, and various hotel rooms. Yet he is happy because he has a job (even if it involves firing others) and perhaps love (even though he sees her very rarely). Or perhaps everything is just a little bit different after all. It’s beautiful, even though some people can be horrible.
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