Up in the Air

"Up in the Air"
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Danny McBride, Melanie Lynsky, J.K. Simmons
Grade: B

Jason Reitman's third film speaks to the current economic climate of today's workplace. More than anything else, "Up in the Air" examines downsizing through it's main protagonist, Ryan Bingham, played effortlessly by George Clooney. Reitman, the son of famous director Ivan Reitman is maturing, but with maturity comes playing it safe, in this case.

Bingham does the dirty work for companies across the country, "letting go" workers, and proving them with severance packages, and plans for their future. Some people effortlessly accept their departures, some put up a fight. There's many scenes involving Bingham working in his environment, which he is best at due to his lack of human relationships. Bingham lives in the sky, airports, and hotels basically for 270 days a year. He racks up frequent flyer miles in hopes to gain ultimate status as one of the few to earn 10 million miles.

Clooney is an extremely likable guy and actor, we see a lot of himself in his roles, with Bingham, Clooney exudes world weariness and acceptance of his work of laying people off. It's what he does, and he's surely the best. Bingham meets his match in a sexy frequent flyer named Alex, played by the ever consistent Vera Farmiga. The two instantly connect and exchange witty banter that leads to sex. We sense that there could be something real there. There is also another women in Bingham's life. This one is Natalie Keener, a young Cornell grad who presents technology as an easier way to lay off people. Connect two people to a computer, and it's much easier Keener insists. Bingham's boss sends them on their way to many cities for Bingham to show the ambitious Natalie how things really work.

"Up in the Air" isn't challenging, nor forgettable, it exists on its own terms as the movie of the moment. The three leads play off each other effortlessly, their dynamics and views are fresh as they form true and likable characters. As first one would think that Natalie would be the annoying career obsessed women, she's not. Farmiga's Alex isn't just a stopping point for Bingham throughout the film, we see her vulnerable later on.

For all of it's easy going, fast paced nature, "Up in the Air" fails to present the resemblance of a tone or mood throughout. Some may argue that the tone is the on the go, city to city visits that Bingham and Kendrick make. The film is quick, but takes it's time to let the characters breathe. While Reitman's script is quite good at balancing humor and drama, there is the sense of a missing component throughout that I couldn't shrug of.

All three leads have a good chance to gain Oscar nominations, but look for Kendrick to have the best shot at a win. She's a nice young actress who doesn't play the cliche role of the young pupil along for the ride. It could be hard for Clooney to win, he's his charming self, but he doesn't have that crucial scene that Oscar loves. Bingham's motivations and goals are hidden for a while, but he's a relate guy that few could have played.

There is a moment near the end, where the film could have ended. I'm afraid that while Reitman isn't afraid to spread segments of melancholy throughout the film, that the director was afraid to end the film on a darker note. It will be interesting to see what people think. "Up in the Air" has been praised by nationwide critic groups and has a good chance to win the main prize at this year's Oscars. That was the film I wanted to see.