Review of “Up in the Air”
“Up in the Air” can easily be classified as one of the best movies of the year, if not one of the most timely. The subject matter of this film will hit quite close to home with some viewers as it deals with job loss and trying to move on with one’s life.
The film follows Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) as he travels around the U.S. delivering the news to people that they have been fired (or as it is gently put in the film, “let go”). Despite this quite depressing job, Bingham finds joy in his nomadic lifestyle and tries not to get too tied up in the emotional aspects of his work. During the course of the film, he meets a fellow frequent flyer (Vera Farmiga) and the two have a “no strings attached” relationship that begins innocently enough but has quite a devastating and unpredictable outcome. Bingham also meets and eventually has to travel with a new coworker (Anna Kendrick) recently hired by his boss (Jason Bateman). The two learn different things from each other throughout the film: Kendrick’s character learns to get rid of her naivete Clooney’s character learns that there are more things to life than just being by ones self and not committing to anything/anyone.
A very obvious theme in the film is commitment. Clooney’s character could not commit to anyone, so he was left without a wife and (practically) without a family. He chose that lifestyle for himself, but as he has different experiences during the movie, he starts to change is mentality of being a lone wolf. Unfortunately, when he tries to create a serious relationship with Farmiga, she already has a family. This causes him to resort back to his old, more unfulfilling life. Farmiga’s character was unwilling to commit to her life at home with her husband and children. She started an affair with Clooney’s character instead. Also, she was unwilling to commit to having a SERIOUS relationship with Clooney’s character and divorcing her husband. Finally, Kendrick’s character was the only person in the film who committed to what she really want to do (first, following her boyfriend all the way to Nebraska to just be with him, and second, going to San Francisco to apply for a job). Her character was determined and optimistic about her future, and therefore achieved what she set out to achieve by the end of the film.
Another noteworthy theme was how what we think is most important really isn’t. Clooney’s character has the goal of reaching 10 million “air miles” and getting his name on the side of a plane (among other things). This goal is overshadowed by wanting to be closer to his sisters and their families. He tries to make up for his past greed by giving his sky miles to his sister and her new husband (who didn’t have enough money to go on a honeymoon).
Clooney’s character starts out being pleased with his empty lifestyle, always meandering through life. Interestingly enough, his job of telling people they’re fired doesn’t change his attitude towards himself or how he sees his future. The workers he usually fires care about their families and don’t necessarily have a bright future and all of them had no prior notice that they were being let go. This issue of life being unpredictable doesn’t register with Clooney during the movie. At least at the very end of the film, he starts to appreciate what he has.
Overall, I would give this film a 5/5 stars due to it’s strong plot, great acting, and important “messages” about life. Of course, I encourage you to see it for yourself!
