Up In The Air is a film about, among other things, distance, both literally and metaphorically. It’s something Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) tries to keep a heavy dose of in his life. His main passion being to clock up as many air miles as possible with his job as a corporate down sizer. His main philosophy, to renounce any human connection or attachment. Both of these soon come under threat though with the introduction of two new women into his life. Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), who will revolutionise his business so he can’t travel, and Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), a female counter part who may well get him to question his previous convictions.
In spite of how tortured premise I just described may be, don’t be put off. This film has a lot to offer. Jason Reitman has crafted something that in the wrong hands could have easily fallen under the banner of cliché, even with the surprise ending. Instead he has created something fresh and intelligent. Exploring the themes of the expectation of youth, paired with the acceptance of how life really turns out, the script is what really shines, containing a fine mix of comedy, drama, and relatable truth. The performances stand out as well. Clooney and Farmiga could be accused of being a little too pretty to fill the everyman and woman roles they have been given here. But the chemistry between them is so delicious that it’s easy to forgive.
4/5
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