Up in the Air

Up in the Air

109 Minutes








George Clooney seems to be everywhere. Following his performances in this fall's Men Who Stare at Goats and Fantastic Mr. Fox, Clooney takes a victory lap with Up in the Air, a romantic comedy from director Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You for Smoking), that has more on its mind than just illuminating a cold winter day.

Yet, Clooney, who may or may not be the modern equivalent of Cary Grant, seems to pick his projects as if entering a popularity contest rather than choose edgy fare that can push his acting skills. Remember, this is the man who helped put "South Park" on the map. However, he chooses limp dick films like Goats and now Up in the Air, a timely but slick effort that still smacks of Reitman's smarmy Juno cuteness. In Air, Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, an airport-hopping bachelor who splits his time delivering the axe to downsized employees and making money as a motivational speaker. Have you ever stood in line waiting to board a plane and watch as the Silver Platinum Executive Co-Pilot Cardholder gets to go first? Bingham is one of these guys.

Bingham is also a commitment-phobe who steers clear of his apartment and keeps only the barest ties with his family. But when he meets both Alex (Vera Farmiga in a strong performance) a fellow frequent flyer junkie and Natalie (Anna Kendrick), a tyro sent out on the road with him to fine-tune even more impersonal ways to let people go, Bingham soon begins to realize that maybe this bachelor lifestyle just isn't what it's cracked up to be.

Reitman paints an impersonal and cruel corporate world where relationships are broken down into bite-sized rendezvous, accrual of perks and where flyer miles matter more than humility and humanity. Of course, Bingham is going to want to change his ways and fortunately that change feels organic, especially in his realistic and touching relationship with Alex. Yet, Clooney still relies too much on his debonair charm to really afford us a penetrating look into the fear that has paralyzed the heart of his Ryan Bingham.

Up in the Air fails because Reitman crams too many stories and situations into one picture. Is this an indictment of our failing economy? Is it about the broken-hearted and forlorn flying in lonely metal capsules above the earth? This is the type of film that charms the Oscar crowd and leaves the customer satisfied. Yet, something doesn't sit well after walking out of Up in the Air. An extended wedding sequence where Bingham returns to his roots feels forced and a big twist exists just to be a twist and nothing more. If Reitman and Clooney both took more risks, Up in the Air could have soared. Unfortunately, the final product feels as soulless and cookie-cutter as any of our airports or extended stay residences that clog up the congested heart of this country.

by David Harris