Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
Up in the Air is a 2009 picture that stars George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick with cameo appearances by Jason Bateman, J.K Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, and Zack Galifianakis. Clooney plays Ryan Bingham a termination expert and part-time motivational speaker who spends 90% of his year flying from one company to the next firing employees. Over the course of the picture, he trains a new employee, meets a mysterious woman he makes a connection with, and learns what is really valuable in life.
Under The Lens: Life lessons and Humor
Humor: The picture was funny but not in a laugh out loud way, it was mostly situational and conversational human, that would bring a smile and chuckle to the viewer’s face. The humor was used to elevate some of the more stressful and awkward moments, for example, the job of firing people is hard to watch on screen. However we are given a humorous scene when Bingham explains why he is hired to fire people, we are then treated to humorous fantasy scenes of Zack Galifianakis trashing an office and getting a sniper rifle to shoot his boss.
Life Lessons: At its core, the picture is about what is important in life, Ryan Bingham is shown as a semi-self centered man who is scared of getting to close to people. He rarely sees his sister and forgoes meaningful romantic relationships in favor of one night stands. At his core, he is a good man who tries his best to help those he fires and does seem to care about those around him. In the end, the picture is a sobering look at what life is like for someone who put career ahead of relationships. The picture will make any viewer take stock in their own lives and wonder if they are making the right decisions. There are no happy endings in this picture, Ryan Bingham learns what’s important but does not find the happiness he so wants and remains alone. The script sums up life best when it says “Life is better when you have a co-pilot”
Highlights
The picture is full of memorable cameos and each character will make you laugh, cry or think.
George Clooney and Vera Farmiga had good chemistry, the dialogue was snappy and they sold the idea of these two strangers coming together and finding a connection
The pictures non-happy ending, it ends in a rather realistic way, that is both sad and thought-provoking had it had a generic happy ending its message would have been less powerful.
Something to think about
Would you be happy constantly traveling for your job? Could you balance a family and do it?
Conclusion
Up in the Air is a sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking look at human connection, it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of disconnection and the risk of connection once found. Its script is funny and its pace is good, the only negative comes from the film’s gratuitous nudity featured in one of the early scenes. It’s totally unneeded and does not forward the plot at all. Other than that, Up in the Air is a worthy film to see and one that anyone should check out who likes a mature drama as well as one that will leave you thinking long after the credits.
