Directed by:
Jason ReitmanCinematography:
Eric SteelbergComposer:
Rolfe KentCast:
George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
From Jason Reitman comes the timely odyssey of Ryan Bingham (GEORGE CLOONEY), a corporate downsizer and consummate modern business traveler who, after years of staying happily airborne, suddenly finds himself ready to make a real connection. Ryan has long been contented with his unencumbered lifestyle lived out across America in airports, hotels and rental cars. He can carry all he needs in one wheel-away case; he’s a pampered, elite member of every travel loyalty program in existence; and he’s close to attaining his lifetime goal of 10 million frequent flier miles – and yet... Ryan has nothing real to hold onto. When he falls for a simpatico fellow traveler (VERA FARMIGA), Ryan’s boss (JASON BATEMAN), inspired by a young, upstart efficiency expert (ANNA KENDRICK), threatens to permanently call him in from the road. Faced with the prospect, at once terrifying and exhilarating, of being grounded, Ryan begins to contemplate what it might actually mean to have a home. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (13)
True, there were moments that seemed a bit forced, but overall, I found this movie quite enjoyable. It made me ponder a bit, yet at the same time, it's not a requirement as you can also just switch off your mind and relax. However, this film is far from mindless; if you pay attention, it has something to say. It avoids being cheaply pathetic, though there are moments that may lean in that direction, and it doesn't try to deceive the viewer with a contrived happy ending. Today, I genuinely enjoyed it, and the chemistry between George Clooney and Vera Farmiga significantly contributed to that. / Lesson learned: Sometimes it's genuinely challenging to keep both feet on the ground and not have your head in the clouds.
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Up in the Air is both a bitter and somewhat cynical romance, as well as a psychological exploration of the thinking of today's American middle class, and last but not least, a drama about the collapse of the infamous American dream in the style of American Beauty. I would be cautious about classifying the film as a comedy because anyone who approaches this film as light entertainment will inevitably be disappointed. If there are comedic tones in the film, they mostly arise from the absurdity and contrasts of what is seen. The only moment when the movie theater warmly laughed was the situation where a young employee and a manager, who is a few years older with many failed relationships, describe their requirements for a partner. It is the story of a seasoned employee of a company specializing in laying off redundant employees of American companies. The protagonist is convincingly and brilliantly played by George Clooney, who can rely on similarly excellent performances from his co-stars. Vera Farmiga surprised me as his mistress. The film is certainly not flawless, as it has a slightly fluctuating pace, the musical motifs have a somewhat intrusive sentimental character, and above all, Jason Reitman lacks the courage to completely dismantle the American myth. This is especially evident in the reconciliatory ending and the testimonies of those laid off on camera, where hope emerges. Perhaps it needed about 10-15% of the audacity and uncompromisingness of Michael Moore. On the other hand, how many similarly significant sincere testimonies can we find in the film world? Overall impression: 90%. By the way, I kind of expected that ending of the romance, something similar happened to me...
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I like Clooney, I like the psychological Reitman, I like Vera Farmiga in any position, and yes, I even like the quirky Anna Kendrick, so I couldn't really dislike Up in the Air. A romantic delicacy seasoned with great actors, between whom there is amazing chemistry, an interesting plot and, above all, an unobtrusive, but at the same time completely natural and purposeful humour, the kind the Americans pleasantly surprise me with from time to time. I also appreciate the lack of an annoying happy ending (i.e. a passionate kiss in the rain and other forms of cinematic romance), which was instead handled like the rest of the film – casually, humanly, and originally. Damn, I love this movie..:) 80%
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When odes to Juno were being sung, I hung silently at the back. But when praises for Up in the Air were sung, I had to be heard from the front rows. George Clooney showcases his most natural side a good couple of years, Jason Reitman's script elevates the concept of "life truth", and that treacherously realistic ending still doesn't let me sleep. The overall impression draws you in so comprehensively that neither side can boo: lovers of people with a pleasant everyday feeling of a warmed home will have their share, as will the chronic travelers who may become unsure whether it really makes sense to start returning somewhere. Calm, intelligently warm certainty.
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The same old story. Reitman makes one movie after another, but he just can’t achieve the quality of his shorts. And here it is even worse because the entire time I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this is an Americanized variation (and I don’t mean that pejoratively, just it’s been adapted to the American way of life, the mood in society etc.) on last year’s Japanese Oscar winner. Unfortunately I get the feeling from this that it isn’t nearly as sincere as intentional, criminally dry and almost too “serious".
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