Up in the Air (2009)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  8 / 10

  Up In The Air lures you in with its witty humour, and then smacks you in the face with depression. Much like a plane, this flies past at a speedy pace and somehow takes loneliness to refreshingly elevate it to atmospheric levels. Such an easy watch, thanks to competent directing and writing from Jason Reitman. An experienced employee from a firm who is hired by companies to fire individuals is tasked with training a young rookie. During this process, her perspective of life and maturity slowly changes his attitude where loneliness and worthlessness are fragmented in his mind. A surprisingly meaty narrative that is executed decently. Receiving an opportunity to chase your dreams after getting fired, evoking opportunism and optimism. Generational communication which involves describing idealisms regarding love and life. The thin line between casual encounters and conjuring up a romance, provoking paranoia and jealousy. The disadvantages of living on the job having to travel constantly where luxuries and class overcome family and friends. Advancing technologies replacing the need for physical employees in the quaternary sector. All of the above are interesting aspects to a consistently engaging plot. Reitman's scripts allows dark humour to seep through cracks and enhance the characterisation of the film. And what a script this was! The juxtaposition between Natalie and Ryan provided witty banter and sarcastic debates, they felt relatable and their chemistry was conveyed naturally. A script that contains the line "a cocoon of self-banishment" is a winning script in my book. Acting was solid all round. Clooney was pretty much himself but Farmiga and Kendrick were electrifying in two very nuanced performances. Going from location to location does feel slightly repetitive, and the twenty minute wedding scene does slow down the pacing. But the small heartbreaking twist at the end was worth it. A thoroughly entertaining drama which provided both laughs and sentimentality.

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