Review of Up in the Air (2009) by Thomas B — 30 Jan 2015

'Zeitgeist' is the word that's been thrown around a lot when talking about this film, and with good reason. The story centres around Ryan Bingham, a man who's job it is to fire people. In such economically turbulent times, this is very zeitgeisty indeed. However, a good idea is nothing without the follow-up of a good story, great acting and being great technically also. .

Fortunately, this film is all of these. If the credits themselves aren't enough to impress you, brilliantly spliced to the tune of "This Land is Your Land," then the first few scenes will. And it's impressive all the way to the end. Jason Reitman's is seriously good work. His perfect use of focus throughout the film is inspiring, especially when he's showing Ryan's perfect avoidance of the pitfalls of airports; brilliant work and well worth the nomination. And this isn't the only sign of yet-to-be-fully-realised greatness in his work as a director. While Bingham is grounded in his usual ways, the camerawork is perfect; rock steady tracking shots, perfectly balanced close-ups and short, sharp cuts. When Bingham's character begins to unpeel, so too does Reitman's up tight and technically perfect use of the camera dissolve into the handheld, home-movie style, not as jolty as Quantum of Solace or Cloverfield, but a little out of Reitman's usual style, nonetheless. .

Bingham is played by George Clooney, and the Oscar nod is very well earned. It was the role of the lifetime for Clooney in the first place, but he brings a certain something to the role. Whether it's his half smiles which suggest something more than what he's saying or his eyes which seem to speak without the use of his mouth, I don't know. But whatever it is, he brings Bingham to life in a way which makes it even harder to see the flaws in his life choices. .

His backup cast is equally brilliant, with both Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick both earning their Oscar nods with solid, layered performances. Of the two it is Kendrick's character Natalie Keener which makes the biggest impact. Beginning as a typical Gen Y, uncaring of the feelings of others and striving to make things as efficient as possible, regardless of people and their feelings. She is at perfect odds with Clooney's Bingham, he, an ageing man, steeped in the tradition of his work, and her, an up-and-coming prodigy trying to make her way in the corporate world. However, while she appears to be uncaring and cold, this gradually gives way to a girl who's naive, scared and unprepared, unused to the trials of the world and inexperienced in dealing with people. It will take repeat viewings to see this, but she has perfect control of her character from the very beginning. .

Vera Farmiga's Alex Goran is the typical meet-cute, rom-com love interest for Bingham; a woman who "somehow runs the gauntlet" of Bingham's ridiculous lifestyle. They suit each other perfectly, triviallsing all aspects of their relationship and trying, stupidly, to separate their feelings from their intercourse. Of course it falls apart, as it always does, as Bingham is slowly changed by Natalie's fresh and naive approach to life, "I thought I'd be married by 23, no offence." Farmiga plays her very well too, with perfect sultry glances and beautiful stringing along, her introduction into the film is a perfect piece of cinema. .

The minor characters are fantastic as well, with some heartbreaking performances by discharged employees, especially J.K. Simmons, and Jason Bateman in a nasty turn as Ryan's boss. .

The script, too, is brilliant, with sparkling dialogue between Natalie and Ryan and some fantastic one-liners. It is a tribute to Jason Reitman's skill as a writer that the script is so personal and moving at the same time as being utterly hilarious, another well earned nod from the academy. And Reitman's knack to deftly pull the rug out from underneath his audience is something which I hope we see more of in the future. .

In short, a very real, personal and moving story with great performances all around, and hopefully just the start of a brilliant career for Jason Reitman. .

Defining Scene: .

When Ryan is called in to defuse a 'cold feet' situation at his estranged sister's wedding. Little does he know that he's talking to himself.