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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Classic Films: Up in the Air (2009)

MPAA Rating: R for language and some sexual content

Distributed by Paramount Pictures


Staring: George Clooney (Ryan Bingham), Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), Vera Famiga (Alex Goran)

Directed, Co-written and Produced by Jason Reitman


Editor’s Note: *There Will Be Spoilers*








What a delightful film this is. At last a Hollywood film which doesn’t rely on paper thin caricatures, nor computer generated effects; but human beings, something that Hollywood has forgotten about in recent years. It defines our era because it can be looked at in the context of our current economic state, which is probably why Paramount financed the project. But it will be constantly relevant because of its acute observation of human nature, not only for our generation - during the United States ‘wintery economic climate’ but something that can be reflected on retrospectively without being specifically about our era.

My sister taught me something about human relationships while she lived with me. Our idealogies often conflicted, she is a Chirstian, and I, a secular humanist. Living under the same roof for over two years was often, pardon the pun, a living hell when she and I had tempestuous religious discussions. I viewed this film in early 2010 on a Tuesday night and it had enlightened and filled me with both despair and joy simultainously. Quite ironic considering the contrast between those aforementioned emotions with which this film filled me, and that is the message of this film: Philosophies to which we adhere in life and how they affect our goals and prospects, and most notably, how they affect our relationships.

This film tells the story of Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), an isolated carefree man whose prospects follow frequent flyer miles as he boards aircrafts in order to carry out his job, a corporate down-sizer. He lives with the philosophy that relationships, and in turn the Amercian Dream, weigh down the personal ability and potential of an individual therefore believing that relationships and families are a liability. He also delivers motivational speeches which encourages and reinforces his philosophy. During the film’s timeline, Bingham begins a casual relationship with Alex (Vera Farmiga). Until Natalie (Anna Kendrick), a young ambitious, albeit naive and quixotic, recently hired graduate arrives Bingham is relaxed in regards to his life choices and takes pleasure in his perpetual travel and lack of relationships. Natalie proposes a revolutionary idea which will reduce flight costs. Downsizing via Videoconference, Bingham finds this insensative means of technolagy threatening to his life style, and argues that Keener does not have the longevity nor the prescience to suggest such an insensative technique. Ryan’s Boss (Jason Bateman) decides to assign Ryan to the task of having her accompany him on his last bout of downsizing. He doesn’t revel in the prospect of firing someone, everybody likes to feel needed. Bingham does and the notion of being serviceable fulfills him. He doesn’t dare to contemplate having a wife nor a family, as that is what any normal person does when they want to feel needed and fulfilled. His job is to warmly console those who he fires into feeling needed. In a scene with J.K. Simmonds (Who protrayed Juno’s father in Jason Reitman’s previous film Juno (2007)) Keener distantly attempts to console him mechanically, stating that children who endure moderate trauma apply themselves academically as a defense mechanisim. After a brutal retort, Ryan attempts to console him by advising him to pursue what satisfiys him, thereby ensuring his fulfillment and happiness. Bingham may distance himself but sinceraly understands human nature, Keener learns to find herself during the peroid with Bingham and becomes carreer-orientated and, as Bingham had suggested, pursues what satisfies her, she also becomes disinlusioned in relationships. Keener could have been Bingham 10 years earlier, before he had realised his prospects.

Up in the air is a contemporary screwball comedy cast with such precision when George Clooney and Vera Farmiga exchange their witticisms you will just want to smile with glee, reminiscent of a contemporary Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. Natalie is incredulous when Bingham tells her that he doesn’t wish for a family nor children. Alex, a woman of the feminist generation, when speaking about her ideal man utters the comment ‘I want him to make more than I do.’ She wishes for freedom and independence from the dominance of males and yet she wants a disposable income?

Field containing Spoilers:

These values all differ; the concept of biology is raised, because a mere egg is produced per month, females seem to differ from men biologically and ideologically, sperm is disposable, enabling men to have more freedom and partners, whereas females seem to prefer commitment. I may be generalizing although this is based on the characters in the film and not the general populous opinions. Neither Keener nor Bingham can fathom one another’s ideology. Alex and Bingham are so compatible because they’re identical, and yet as he becomes attached to her and accustomed to the idea of commitment he discovers that she has a family. Bingham is distraught when she delivers the line ‘You’re an escape from reality, a parenthesis’. Bingham realises the futility of his values, as seen from another perspective. His sister is marrying a fool, and yet she seems satisfied, another sister’s marriage has ended and plans to progress through life alone for the remainder of her days.

End of Field containing Spoilers.

Is this the end or the beginning of an era? I believe this film is the Best Film released in 2009. Ask another and they may believe it is the worst. Bingham is reminded why he maintains his life style, and now he is doomed to live ‘Up In The Air’, living in the moment.

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