Today’s quick review: Up in the Air. Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) leads a transient life. His job takes him all over the United States, flying to new cities to help companies fire their employees. Along the way, he strikes up a casual relationship with Alex (Vera Farmiga), a fellow traveler. But Ryan is forced to rethink his commitment-free philosophy when Natalie (Anna Kendrick), a young colleague, proposes a change that could ground him for good.
Up in the Air is a movie about a career traveler struggling with the idea of putting down roots. George Clooney stars as Ryan, a loner who has gotten his nomadic lifestyle down to a science. Up in the Air dabbles in comedy, romance, and drama as it dissects Ryan’s life and explores the personal and professional factors pushing him to change. Solid character work and a fairly unique premise are enough to make the movie a worthwhile watch.
Up in the Air gets a lot of mileage out of its main character. Ryan hits a sweet spot for a protagonist: personable enough to make the movie pleasant, but with clear flaws for the story to work with. His arc isn’t as extreme as in some other movies, but his unusual philosophy and way of living give Up in the Air some interesting themes to explore. The result is a nicely varied look at love, corporate culture, and finding meaning in life.
However, Up in the Air never quite seals the deal. Some comedy falls naturally out of the characters’ personalities, but it’s never the main focus. The romance is a sidelong affair that creeps up on Ryan as much as it does the audience. The drama is piecemeal, dealing with real issues but without the focus or impact of more conventional stories. To the movie’s credit, this open-endedness works in its favor, fitting nicely with its ambivalent themes.
How much you get out of Up in the Air will depend on what you’re looking for in a story. Up in the Air asks questions without clear answers, is firmly grounded in modern culture, and touches on meaningful themes without dipping too heavily into drama. For some viewers, these traits will be a breath of fresh air. Others will find it too loose and unfocused to truly invest in. Curious viewers should give it a shot; skeptics should steer clear.
For a George Clooney comedy that dips more heavily into romance, try Out of Sight. For a more anarchic critique of modern culture, try Fight Club. For a similar portrait of a less stable character, try The Informant!.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for multifaceted characters and a contemplative story.