Up in the Air

Up in the Air was released in Canada on September 12, 2009 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The face to mention in this one is, of course, George Clooney. It is also co-written and directed by Jason Reitman, best recognized as the mind behind Juno.

Clooney plays an attachment disordered guy whose job requires he is constantly on the road, which really works for him, enabling him not to become loaded down with interpersonal relationships. His job is to fire people, which he has become quite masterful at doing, but not in a cold and calculated fashion that you may have forecasted when watching the trailers. Two women enter his life; one is a young keener looking to shift the business to internet, and the other is his female counterpart, with whom he becomes involved. The plot that unfolds is not as predictable as one might assume.

Up in the Air will get some Oscar attention. Clooney is beautifully brilliant. Of course, he is beautiful enough that no one really cares if he is brilliant. But nonetheless, he really pulls off a good part in this one. He has not won since 2006. He was nominated for Michael Clayton in 2008, and received writing and directing nominations for Good Night and Good Luck in 2006. His work in Burn After Reading was completely ignored by the Academy last year. He may have paid his dues for another Oscar nod. And no joke... the man is aging very well. But enough about Clooney. The two women in his life were not shabby either. Both Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick pulled off performances that would not shame the Best Supporting category. The competition will be fierce for them, but the roles were well handled. The other category that is notable is screenplay. My guess is that it is unlikely that Reitman will get a directing nod for this movie, but he may get recognition for the writing. Overall, this movie should make some noise on nomination day.

I just loved Up in the Air and it is the kind of movie the average movie-goer will not hate the Academy for loving. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours of your Christmas vacation.