Up in the Air(2009)- User Reviews

Jason Reitmans third feature film is a sub-genre movie of the best kind and tells the story of business traveler and corporate down-sizer Ryan Bingham who lives and breaths by working, has an almost platonic relationship to his follow human beings and is convinced that he has found the right philosophy of life until the day he meets the like-minded woman Alex in a bar.

The adaptation of Walter Kerns novel by the same name from 2001 is a life affirming journey through life's ups and downs from Canadian actor, producer, screenwriter and director Jason Reitman, known from "Thank you for smoking" (2006) and "Juno" (2007), which is able to be a road-movie, a serious drama, a romantic comedy and a significant character study at the same time. Academy award nominee George Clooney delivers a splendid character interpretation as the successful bachelor who is married to his occupation and the chemistry between him and Ukrainian-American Vera Farmiga sparks like crystals. Noticeable also is Anna Kendrick from the first three Twilight movies, in the excellent supporting role as the main characters outspoken apprentice.

"Up in the air" has a few unavoidable clich�s here and there, but overall it is a nuanced and charming sub-genre film about lifestyles, ambitions and interpersonal relations. The refined balance between the sad, the cheerful, the serious and the romantic, is as the narrative, the direction and the progressive pace, the pillars of this sterling film composition.