Movie review: Up In The Air

Up In The Air stars our favourite bachelor George Clooney, who recently won a Golden Globe for his performance in the movie. But is all the fuss really justified? Read what Jennifer Jansen Van Rensburg had to say....

What’s it all about?

Ryan (played by Clooney) is a professional downsizer; yes he fires people for a living. He spends more time in the air than on the ground and his hobby consists of collecting flier miles.

Natalie, played by Twilight star Anna Kendrick, is a young new colleague trying to revolutionise the firing process by means of technology. Ryan is forced to take Natalie under his wing taking her to various companies in America to learn the art of firing.

On the way Ryan meets Alex (Vera Farmiga from The Departed), another frequent flyer and commitment-phobe. Up In The Air consists of the journey each character takes as well as the one they take together with a few great laughs along the way.
 
But what’s it really about?

In a world that gets smaller everyday with aeroplanes and skype we seem to be in constant contact with others.

For Ryan, his life is on the path he’s always envisioned: successful businessman, constant service with a smile, and no one and nothing to tie him down. Yet in a sea of people Ryan finds himself more detached than ever.

This is a film that explores the importance of human contact and the impact that connection can make on us.
 
Is all the fuss justified?

Up In The Air is enjoying the taste of Oscar buzz after it received a Golden Globe for George Clooney’s performance. While his performance is indeed noteworthy, the actor that really caught my attention was Anna Kendrick. She brings a great edge yet the vulnerability of youthful optimism.

But where would the actors be without a great director? Jason Reitman, also the director of Juno and Thank You For Smoking, brings his unmistakable quiet quirk and sensitivity to the human condition to this great film.
 
It’s definitely worth seeing, even if it’s just to wage in your opinion on the Oscar rat race. But if you’re pushed for time you won’t miss out if you wait to see it on DVD.

Author info: Jennifer Jansen Van Rensburg

I am excited about writing for all4women because while I am definitely no film critic I do enjoy having a good discussion over a film. My studies have aided in this interest as I am in my final year of my undergrad at UCT, majoring in English Lit, Art History and Film Studies. I absolutely hate the question, “So what ‘s your favourite movie?” because it’s IMPOSSIBLE to have just one. However, I must admit that one of the deciding factors for me is the sound track because watching a movie with a bad sound track is like drinking cold coffee, just horrible! Some of my favourite things in life are coffee, music, movies, a good dinner with great friends, finding an amazing item of on sale when I would have bought it at full price, the colour green, laughing, the hilarious antics of a night out with the girls and not being able to part with a good book till I’ve read it cover to cover.