UP IN THE AIR

Jason Reitman: remember this name. Over the last 5 years, he's brought us 3 critically acclaimed movies and got international prestige. He's directed other minor films, but it was in 2005 that he had a chance to shine.

In Thank You for Smoking (2005), Canadian Reitman directed the story of a tobacco company lobbyist dealing with raising a son, an affair with a reporter and a lawsuit - all involving his job, and the moral issues that come with it.

Then came Juno (2007), a sweet comedy about a 16-year-old girl who gets pregnant of her best friend. It was nominated for 4 Oscars and won for Best Original Screenplay (surprisingly, by an ex-stripper, Diablo Cody). This year, comes Reitman's new flick Up in the Air (USA, 2009).

George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a lonely man whose job is to fire people from theirs. As he presents himself in the wonderful opening monologue, he's hired by companies to give the bad news to the 'let-go' employees.

Bingham developes a technique to make them believe that this is not a bad thing: it is an opportunity! An open door to a better life! A chance to follow their dreams and do what they've always dreamed of! (Pure bullsh*t, as he himself acknowledges.)

Bingham can literally be defined by his job. He spends most of his year travelling through the country to fire people. It's the perfect job for him: his vision of home is not a family and a big house, but flights, airplanes and hotels.

Bingham is lonely and against any sort of commitment - family and duties will only hold you back and keep you from travelling light, he explains in his convention speeches. His only sort of relationship is to Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), a mysterious woman he meets at an airport lounge and who - like him - makes a living by travelling. Their affair doesn't go beyond casual scheduled sex - at first.

Life is perfect for him, until Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick). Since the flight tickets and hotels' prices are too high, the company decides to cut costs by promoting video conferences by the internet. Therefore, they don't need to leave the office to do their job.

Obviously, Bingham is strongly opposed to the idea, but their boss (Jason Bateman) has made up his mind. Judging Natalie as unfit and unprepared for the job, Bingham takes her for a firing expedition across the country, where he'll teach her about the job.

First of all, Up in the Air is not your everyday romantic comedy. The first half is funny and sharp, but the tone gets more dramatic in the second act - especially when Bingham gets in touch with his sisters again. And don't expect a cliché ending, because this is a realistic flick. Not a rainbow-colored rom-com.

The whole story was entertaining and great to watch at the big screen. Bingham's obsession with getting as many miles as he can, his relationship with Alex getting deeper and deeper until the disappointment and heartbreak, him and Natalie's work...

Reitman does it again. This one is even more mature than his previous movies, with a smart screenplay and equally delightful performances. Clooney is really good as Bingham, proving he can act (I confess, I had my doubts). Farmiga and Kendrick are also perfect, just like the rest of the cast.

The screenplay (adapted from Walter Kirn's novel) is way above average. It was funny but also touching and sad. The soundtrack was very good, too. It was very smooth and time swang by.

Up in the Air was nominated for 6 Academy Awards, a record for Reitman - Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Actor (Clooney), Best Supporting Actress (Farmiga & Kendrick) and Best Adapted Screenplay. I hope it wins at least 2, because it was great.

I recommend it for a mature audience who wants a serious film about relationships. My rating is 8.

>> ZÉ B. [8/10]

>> iRaphael [8/10]

IMDB link: HERE