2009 Best Film Nominee #4- Up in the Air

Up in the Air is the definition of perfect timing.  What better environment could there be to release a film about a lonely traveler whose job is to fire people than our current economic climate?  The premise effortlessly sets up the theme that, basically, when things are going bad, don’t forget to count your blessings because odds are you still have some to count, and maybe even more (albeit different) than someone you’d consider “more fortunate”.  It was absolutely brilliant timing and, moreover, delivered a touching, bittersweet tale that seemed to transcend the screen and provide some sort of perspective on the worst recession in this country since the Great Depression. 

None of this works, though, unless the filmmakers turn the good premise into an excellent film, which they do.  I’m a fan of director Jason Reitman’s work (Thank You For Smoking, Juno) and think he was an excellent match for this film.  The subject matter is very dramatic and can be depressing, but Reitman excels at delivering a light-hearted, quirky sense of humor through his direction, which he does just enough of in this film to keep the mood light and stray from a dark path of depression. However, to prove he’s not so insensitive as to make light of an awful situation, he allows honest to goodness citizens to sit in front of an interview camera and vent their feelings about actually being fired… in the real world.  What an awesome touch!  The bookend interviews of people that were fired in the real world expressing their feelings about being fired then explaining how they deal with it instantly makes this film more real. It also does a great job of bringing perspective and, hopefully, solace to the masses that have been fired or laid off (in the film or, to some degree, real life) and it was done in a brief enough way to avoid pulling focus from the actual film (bravo!).

Further, the acting is tremendous!  George Clooney delivers and does a great job of showing his character’s progression from a lonely man who has convinced himself he’s happy to a man that has come to terms with his loneliness (seeing no other alternative) and seems resigned to accept it.  Both Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick nail their characters as well and are deserving of their Oscar nominations.

Coinciding with this great acting is excellent character development through story.  I don’t know if you can attribute the character development to the great acting or vice-versa (probably a symbiotic relationship), but we get these characters.  They progress and change through their actions and reactions to the circumstances that befall them.

Not to beat a dead horse, but, again, what makes this film special is its timing.  I firmly believe that Hollywood trends according to the economy.  The Hollywood films in the boom era of the late ‘90’s and pre-911 2000’s are much more independent-minded films meant to challenge our institutions and social structures.  Films like American Beauty were hits in the box office because the economy was good and people were generally happy, so they could afford the mental fortitude to take on a movie that challenges their way of life.  However, in a recession, when people already have so many troubles (job security, financial security, strains on relationships, etc.) the last thing we’re looking for is a film that gives us more things to worry about.  That’s why you see more comedies, children’s movies, and action/thrillers, because people want that escape.  Up in the Air takes an alternative route. It directly addresses the problem at hand (unemployment and massive layoffs) in a manner that those afflicted can relate to.  Better than escaping is seeing people that feel your pain and can truly empathize with you (like other people that were really fired).  This film does a masterful job of providing this release while also providing the perspective that the people doing the firing may very well be depressed too!  We get people to empathize with and bosses to feel better than. It’s a win-win!

Ultimately, though, this film does not rate higher because the premise, while great, is a little limiting.  The film is very well done and is a very good story, but it just doesn’t have very many turns it can take.  The first half of the film is great. It moves quickly and is intriguing, but, once it passes the midpoint, I feel like it limps a little bit on its way to the third act break.  This is no fault of any of the filmmakers, but just the simple fact that there are only so many things you can show when all the main character does is fly around and fire people (not to say that that’s all that happens, it’s not, but just to put it in the simplest terms).  This slight redundancy aside, the film maneuvers around this hurdle masterfully and is extraordinary. I highly recommend checking this film out!

Scale: 

1-  Lots of Better Movies at Blockbuster   

2-  Might Be Worth Renting

3-  Rent It When You Get to It

4-  A Must Rent, at some point

5-  Put It in Your Queue NOW!

My Rating: 4

Buy Up in the Air