unordered thoughts

Up in the Air bills itself as a comedy.  That is misleading.  Whilst the movie has many funny moments and wonderfully crafted and witty dialogue there are no belly-laughs here.  Up in the Air is a study of the disconnection we suffer from echother.

Clooney’s portrayal of Ryan Bingham the corporate downsizing consultant and master ‘termination engineer’ is brilliant.

Whilst Clooney rightly has top billing in this offering the true star of Up in the Air is Vera Farmiga who commands attention in every scene in which she appears and whose presence is felt in every scene in which she is referred to after she first appears in the film.  Her portrayal of Alex gives the film warmth and depth and challenges the world of compartmentalised order so beloved by Clooney’s Ryan.  In short she brings him undone and in doing so elegantly delivers the message of this wonderfully understated film.  Life is about connecting and it is the connections we make that enrich our lives whether we realise it or not.

By journey’s end Ryan discovers that it is not the destination that is important but the connections that are made along the way.

Strong supporting performances by Anna Kendrick and Jason Bateman with a lovely cameo from Sam Elliott round out this wonderful, thought provoking piece.

Jason Reitman delivers another thoughtful offering, a reflection of our times and a prescription for a cure.

Go see this movie.  It will not grab you and shake you but it will creep into your thoughts for days to come after you see it.