Up In The Air - a review by Camilo Arenivar
“Up In the Air” is funny, smart, emotionally connecting, well acted, and most certainly timely. The main character, Ryan Bingham is played by George Clooney; he’s a guy who makes his living working for a company contracted by businesses to lay people off. He spends 322 days on the road, which he loves. The general subject matter as far as the laying off of workers is timely, to say the least. And the film’s directors open and close the film with commentaries from real life laid off workers.
The movie is not just about that though. It is about commitment, happiness, mid-life crisis; fear of intimacy, and to a lesser extent, the effect technology has on interpersonal communication. Oh and of course, travelling including airports and hotels.
The characters are interesting and the story well told, and doesn’t give you the predictable ending that is typical in most movies.
Is it Oscar worthy? It shall be nominated, that’s for sure. I don’t feel Clooney did anything special here, but the story is well done so I see an Adapted Screenplay (from Walter Kim’s 2001 book of the same name) nomination and a best supporting actress nomination for Anna Kendrick, who is phenomenal as the young 23 year old techie who threatens to disrupt Bingham’s 322 life “up in the air”.
I am not going to go into any more detail about the movie as I believe that the less you know the better off you are. I will say that the movie is dialogue and theme heavy, and if you are more interested in monsters than messages, action than acting, this is definitely not the movie for you. This is an adult comedy drama. If you are under 30, you probably have a 20% chance of liking this move, if you’re over 30, a good 35-40% chance of liking it and if you’re over 40, you stand a good 50% chance of liking it. It’s just one of those kinds of movies.
The movie is not just about that though. It is about commitment, happiness, mid-life crisis; fear of intimacy, and to a lesser extent, the effect technology has on interpersonal communication. Oh and of course, travelling including airports and hotels.
The characters are interesting and the story well told, and doesn’t give you the predictable ending that is typical in most movies.
Is it Oscar worthy? It shall be nominated, that’s for sure. I don’t feel Clooney did anything special here, but the story is well done so I see an Adapted Screenplay (from Walter Kim’s 2001 book of the same name) nomination and a best supporting actress nomination for Anna Kendrick, who is phenomenal as the young 23 year old techie who threatens to disrupt Bingham’s 322 life “up in the air”.
I am not going to go into any more detail about the movie as I believe that the less you know the better off you are. I will say that the movie is dialogue and theme heavy, and if you are more interested in monsters than messages, action than acting, this is definitely not the movie for you. This is an adult comedy drama. If you are under 30, you probably have a 20% chance of liking this move, if you’re over 30, a good 35-40% chance of liking it and if you’re over 40, you stand a good 50% chance of liking it. It’s just one of those kinds of movies.
Rating: 91
posted by Camilo Arenivar's CurrentlyPlaying. Reviews and More at 8:03 AM
2 Comments:
FINALLY someone else who doesn't think this movie is the Second Coming. I thought the movie was just ok. Then I started seeing the movie on all the 10 Best lists and even started hearing buzz about Best Picture. COME. ON!!!!!
George Clooney has done so much better in so many other movies. The twist with Vera Farmiga's character came too late for me and the transition to body double for her nude scene was a joke. The movie is a not all that. Definitely a rental. And I'm 45 so it's not an age thing. This movie is aimed straight at my age demo.
You know whats funny is, none of the movies that people are saying are the SECOND COMING this year are living up to their hype in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed Avatar, but I think the reaction is way over the top.
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