Film Reviews

Up In The Air

• Rating:
• Director: Jason Reitman
• Starring: George Clooney, Jason Bateman, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga
• Details: US/109mins (15A)

Poignant, funny, charming and sadly relevant, this excellent film marks a new high in the career of George Clooney, and once again showcases Jason Reitman's ability to deliver superb character-driven cinema. Clooney has spent the best part of the last decade making sure that he does his best work coming into his 50s. Like his producing partner Steven Soderbergh, he isn’t afraid to take risks, and have a film fail, be it financially, critically or both. Giving his most impressive performance to date, in a role that feels like it was written for him, this is a character you should despise. He fires people for a living; a corporate hatchet-man, who arrives in to random companies to lay off staff whose bosses haven't got the balls to do it themselves. Yet, somehow, throughout the course of this truly wonderful film, you begin to genuinely feel for this man. Jason Reitman has followed up Juno with another hugely affecting piece of work. Clooney is Ryan Bingham, a man who has long finished trying to have a fulfilling relationship with anyone. He spends the vast majority of his time either in the air, or at hotels, enjoying the mandatory VIP treatment that approaching ten million air miles gives him. When a 23 year old Cornell graduate at his company figures out a way to streamline the firings, Bingham is disgusted, and takes her on the road to train her in, in turn showing her just how difficult the job actually is. During one of his many trips, he shares some cutting banter with Vera Farmiga's fellow traveller and the two strike up an arrangement to meet whenever possible. Soon, they find themselves enjoying each other's company for more than just the sex. Destined to be prominent on the podium come Oscar night, Jason Reitman's beautifully ponderous film works, like all great films, on more than just one level. The young helmer manages to covey the subtle, but vast, depths of emotion of his lonely central character, while still making him inherently likeable. The, at times, solemn tone gives way to equal amounts of charm, and comedy, as well as a sadly relevant look at the current state of the world economy. Reitman doesn't try to tackle big themes though; this is a character piece, driven by the seemingly content but empty Bingham. The performances are universally exceptional, with Kendrick and Farminga shining equally as bright, while cameos from the likes of JK Simmons and Zach Galifianakis are nicely played by both actors. But this is George Clooney's movie, and when the camera moves in on a close-up on his face in one particular scene, you'll see some of finest acting in recent memory. He is outstanding, as is this entire production.

Review by Mike Sheridan