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| Movie Review: Up In the Air Alternate Title: Fly By Night
Story: George Clooney
as Ryan Bingham, is sleek, slick, detached and noncommittal. Depending
on your own lifestyle he could ether be a character that garners your
sympathy or sows seeds of avid jealousy. His character works for a company
that is hired by corporations to fire people. He swoops in, does the
dastardly task and moves on to the next city. He travels most of the
time, sits in in front of the plane and has loyalty cards to big, fancy
hotels that allows him access to the front of the check-in lines and
all of the other perks that frequent travelers accrue. The
film was crisply directed by Jason Reitman (Thank
You For Smoking, Juno) and written by Mr. Reitman
and Sheldon Turner. It is based on the novel by Walter
Kirn. Bingham's life is turned upside down when a young
woman, hired by his firm, comes up with a cost saving way to do their
job. It entails the use of teleconferencing technology to fire people.
They hit the road together so he can show her how it is really done.
This road trip allows the romance, satire and comic relief that a film
with an underlying premise of sadness needs. The film focus' of course on the main characters. However, a day later,
I am fixated on all of the people that were shown being fired by Bingham.
Reitman hired some non-professionals to tell their stories. It was current,
emotional and sad. Will Ryan Bingham ever settle down? Does his impermanence define him?
The film grows on you as it develops and is well worth your time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m-Da8Tz4_E Acting: George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, hits the mark.
He is eye candy for all. Vera Farmiga as love interest
Alex has a nice chemistry with Clooney. Anna Kendrick as
young Natalie Keener is terrific. The supporting cast is perfect too
including the always great J. K. Simmons (Bob), Danny McBride (Jim Miller),
Jason Bateman (Craig Gregory), Melanie Lynskey (Julie Bingham), Amy
Morton (Kara Bingham), Sam Elliott (Maynard Finch), Zach Galifianakis
(Steve) and Chris Lowell (Kevin). Trivia: Jason Reitman is the son of director
Ivan Reitman. Anna Kendrick was nominated for Broadway's 1998
Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for "High
Society." She was the second youngest nominee (after 1991's Tony
winner in the same category, Daisy Eagan) in Tony history. Vera
Farmiga grew up in a Ukranian-speaking enclave in New Jersey
and did not speak English until she was six. George Clooney
says he will never get married again, nor have any children, but Michelle
Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman both bet $10,000 each that he would be a
father before he turned 40. They were both wrong, and each sent him
a check. He returned the money, betting double or nothing that he won't
have kids by age 50. He will be 50 in 2011.
Predilection: I like George Clooney
Critters: None
Sex Spectrum: There is some discussion of the Mile
High Club and a scene of 'after sex' but nothing to be seen on the big
screen.
Blatant Product Placement: American Airlines (not
on my favorite list of airlines) must have paid a small fortune for
this blatant product placement. We also get to see many Hiltons, a Hampton
Inns and Hertz.
Soundtrack: Fun mix.
Opening Titles: The opening credits, with 'This Land
is Your Land' in the background include a photo montage of those generic
landscapes one sees from 35,000 feet as they fly across country.
Visual Art: Bingham's one room apartment in Omaha
has absolutely no personal touches since he lives in hotels for most
of the year.
Theater Audience: There was one other guy in the
secret balcony with us. I did hear laughter coming from downstairs.
Weather: It snows in many of the cities where American
Airlines flies and where people are getting fired.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: It is squirmy to see people being fired.
Drift Factor: It could have used a bit of editing
in the middle.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No - but it would not surprise me if
there were some nominations anyway.
Big Screen or Rental: Either would do - but I like
looking at George Clooney on the big screen.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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