Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton; Director: Jason Reitman: Screenwriters: Jason Reitman, Sheldom Turner, Walter Kirn; Genre: Drama/ Romance; Running Time: 109 mins;
Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) refers to himself as a “Termination Facilitator”. His job entails firing people from their jobs. When companies decide to downsize but wish to avoid this difficult task, they call upon Ryan’s company to do it for them. Ryan loves his job. He thinks he is a humane, compassionate way. Besides, he like the predictability and perks of high-end business air travel around the country with the minimum essentials in his suitcase (his backpack). His minimalist extends to his personal life where the limits close personal relationships and avoids commitments. Then he meets Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), a charming, sophisticated business traveler who thinks almost like himself, practically his psychic twin. Ryan arranges his schedules so Alex and he can have steamy rendezvous at airports. Without explicit commitments, they develop a “relationship’ through they practically do not know each other. Ryan also meets Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), a bright, ambitious young graduate newly hired by the company. She suggests firing people via video conferencing. It will save the company airfare. This does not sit well with Ryan but to keep his job, he has to teach Natalie the ropes and they travel together. Natalie is Ryan’s opposite. She values relationships, especially the family. She takes the job so she can be near her boyfriend, through at times she is overcome with doubt and regret over the sad reactions of the dismissed employees. How will these two women eventually influence Ryan’s life? How will Ryan’s minimalist beliefs fare in the face of true emotion?
At the relatively young age of 32, Jason Reitman has proven his mettle as film director as evident in the film Up in the Air. And as screenwriter in the same film, in cooperation with Sheldom Turner, he has shown just as excellent a hand.
The story is tightly knit with not a single line or scene out of place. The start of the movie featuring non-actors, the aggrieved people who have actually been recently fired, voicing their own personal painful reactions is a movie clever touch and an effective one, too. And immediately, we are connected to Ryan Bingham, the corporate hitman, the role so ably given life with confidence, class and charm by George Clooney making it look palatable. The casting is just right. So it is with Vera Farmiga’s Alex, the suave girl friend/ non girl friend of Ryan, out for a fling or a good time. Under-acting, both are subtle and impressive. Anna Kendrick as the young, emotional, tightly wound character Natalie Krener is the perfect foil and she does justice to her role. Though there may be comic elements, this can hardly he called a comedy. Actually the twist at the end is so ironic. It may give the viewer some insights he may not have expected.
We are entertained by the movie Up in the Air and our pleasure is probably due to the way the story has unfolded, or the excellent way the movie is made. And one may have discerned some values that may have enriched us, perhaps contributed to our understanding of life. This is the story of a man who loathes being tied down, who wants to live his life “freely", who thinks commitments or close relationships would be hindrances to what he thinks is a wonderful life, but who realizes in the end that his life is meaningless and empty. Ryan Bingham does not say in so many words but his later actions and attitudes towards the end, is it possible he may have changed? Indeed, as one character said, "Life is better with company". Is he ready to get committed or start a genuine relationship with someone? It's just too bad if that someone may not be the suitable partner for a stable relationship. And we see how people, including Ryan may misread a person's character and intentions like that of Alex who wants an "escape" she says, from her reality. One realizes that commitments to be made must be done with care. It turns our Ryan does not know Alex well enough. As for Natalie, she eventually laso came to her own realization. The movie shows how ruthless and easily corporations let go of long-serving employees. One wonders how one can cope if one is on the receiving end of such treatment. Are there some ways of preparing for this including on the emotional/ spiritual side? Frequent vulgar language as well as objectional extra marital sexual relationships make this movie disturbing, despite its technical excellence.
