betty dalton The strangest thing happened to me while watching this movie: I started to like this character, who fires people for a living. Garbage men get more respect, but Clooney pulled it off and made this coldhearted manager's character likeable, while in real life I should have loathed such a manager, who fires people for a living. Lots of praise for the direction by Jason Reitman, because he achieved to make a melancholic feel good picture about a subject that is just depressing: firing people. Everything is smooth about this picture. Endearingly, funny smooth. Just a lovely melancholic romantic comedy mixed into a depresing story about firing people.Acting is terrific. Really subtle. The funny and endearing characters got my sympathy, although all of the characters were rather selfish and superficial. Still I really liked and understood them in the end. Great role by Anna Kendrick. This movie might seem like an innocent story about Clooney flirting with stewardesses while travelling the country for his job, but there is a lot more to it. It really gives a warmhearted message about the pros and cons of commitment in a relationship. Touching, funny and true to life portrait of a loner who is in doubt wether he wants to settle down and have a family... Will he or wont he?Gorgeous soundtrack. Mesmirizing photography and very impressive editing.It is truly a splendid gem. I think it is director Reitman's best work.

maxtbuettner Up in the Air follows Ryan Binham (George Clooney) as he is sent to offices to fire their workers. George Clooney gives a wonderful performance as he dwells into the loneliness of his character. Also, Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga give their Oscar worthy performances as Natalie Keener and Alex Goran respectively. The cast is rounded out by memorable performances from Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, and Zach Galifanakis.One of the other reasons why this film is one of Reitman's best is the personal nature of the story. Reitman used clips of real people being actually fired, and this helps add to the sincerity of the film. One of the most memorable aspects of the film is the theme of friendship and family. The fired workers talked about how their friends and family helped them through the tough time, and even Bingham himself admitted his most important moments in life included other people.

Davis P Up in the Air (2009) is a film that really does engage its audience. The acting from George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick is all great, they all deserved their academy award nominations. This film revolves around George Clooney's character and his journey through a time of change in his life. Farmiga plays a woman that Clooney sees occasionally in between flights, they usually talk some and have sex, they establish a fairly casual relationship, no real commitments. And Anna Kendrick plays a just out of college newbie that Clooney is showing the ropes to. I was very impressed with how well these talented actors commanded the screen and how they had good chemistry too. I cannot reveal very much more about the plot without giving away spoilers and I don't wanna do that. I'll just say that this film doesn't turn out to be conventional or predictable in any way shape or form. The script is written in a very attention grabbing and intelligent way. You will not be bored at any point while watching this film. The top notch acting, engaging writing and interesting storyline is all too much combined for ones attention to wander. I vigorously encourage everyone to see this film. 8/10 for Up in the Air.

zkonedog Ask most people what they would do with an unexpected sum of money, and this answer will likely pop up quite a bit: travel the world. Well, Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) gets to do exactly that...for his job.Bingham, while "up in the air" 322 days out of the year, makes a living by firing people at the request of major corporations who would rather not do the dirty deed themselves. He seems to live a blissfully happy life, unburdened by the responsibilities of home & family, and enjoys his routine immensely. Until, that is, he meets someone just like him...Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga). Throw in spunky new sidekick Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), who sets out to change the way he does business, and Bingham is forced to re-evaluate all of life's priorities.What really makes this film work is, much like Gran Torino, the unbiased nature of the storytelling (making it the exact opposite of a film like Avatar). Viewers are treated to two completely different sorts of life (both on the road and settling down at home) with all the pros and cons included, and must (through Bingham) come to their own conclusion about which life is more satisfactory.The acting is also terrific, with Clooney doing what he's done for years and finding a good thespian match in Farmiga. However, it truly is young Kendrick who nearly steals the show with her energetic performance. Her character superbly represents the thoughts and feelings going through the heads/hearts of the viewers, questioning Bingham on nearly ever decision he makes. I don't say this too often about young people in the film business, but the sky is the limit for this woman based on this incredible performance.Finally, a little anecdote about why this movie may touch you as it did me:When I was five years old, my father played a little trick on me. He said he had a "magic pill" (a common vitamin, of course!) that would make me stay "five forever", allowing me to go to school and play with my toys ad infinitum. I took the bait hook, line, and sinker, but only after swallowing the pill were the consequences brought to my attention, such as seeing all my little friends grow up, always having to take naps, etc. After a bit of contemplation, I then chose the "antidote" to set things right again.Filmmaker Jason Reitman operates under the same concept with "Up in the Air". We are first given a glance into the seemingly wonderful life of the man on the road, but only upon deeper introspection do we discover the true nature of his often lonely existence. What makes things interesting, of course, is the fact that his decision is much more meaningful than from some five year old.Thus, I strongly recommend this to film fans of any and all kinds for its deep story and incredible acting. If, say, Avatar turned you off by its overly black-and-white themes, this is the antithesis.