Moviola > Films > Up in the Air

Up in the Air  (15)  109 mins

"The story of a man ready to make a connection."

Director:  Jason Reitman

Screenplay:  Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Cinematography:  Eric Steelberg

Original music:  Rolfe Kent

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) describes himself as a “termination facilitator”.  When corporations need to downsize quickly but hate the mess, he flies in and breaks the news to the new former employees.  He lives out of a suitcase, racks up the frequent flyer miles (his ambition is to reach 10 million), and has an intermittent relationship with businesswoman Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas) who shares his no-strings attitude. He loves every minute.  He doesn't want a home. He doesn't want a family. He gives self-help lectures on how and why to unpack the backpack of your life.  But his lifestyle is threatened when his company hires ambitious young Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick).  She develops a method of video conferencing that will allow termination without ever leaving the office - essentially threatening the existence Ryan so cherishes. Determined to show the naive girl the error of her logic, Ryan takes her on one of his cross country firing expeditions, but as she starts to realize the disheartening realities of her profession, he begins to see the downfalls to his way of life. 

Oscar nominations: Best Achievement in Directing, Jason Reitman; Best Motion Picture of the Year, Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman; Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, George Clooney; Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Vera Farmiga; Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Anna Kendrick; Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner.

"Commitment, happiness and travel are the themes of Jason Reitman's bitingly good film which looks at the life of a high flyer for whom express lanes, corporate clubs and frequent flyer miles are the ultimate thrill. Clooney is perfectly cast as the charming, confident and cynical Ryan, whose backpack analogy describes how possessions and people weigh us down in the journey of life. It's funny, sardonic, insightful and ironic and Clooney casts his spell effortlessly."  Urban Cinefile

“Delivering his killer one-liners with a gently raised eyebrow, Clooney impresses at every turn and is fast becoming one of Hollywood’s subtlest comedy actors.”  Daily Mirror

“Witty, pertinent and moving, this is a sophisticated treat from a director who gets exponentially better with every picture. But it’s Clooney that makes it soar with his most accomplished acting to date.”  Total Film

For more information, and to see a trailer and stills, visit the official website at  www.theupintheairmovie.com

Showing:

09-Apr          Durrington

16-Apr          Melksham

22-Apr          Ditcheat

27-Apr          Enford

28-Apr          Calne

16-June         Vernham Dean

01-July          Whitchurch

07-July          Motcombe

12-July          Shrewton

16-July          Overton CANCELLED 

20-July          Hythe

Last modified: 12-Jul-2010

Send mail to info@moviola.org to comment on the website or find out more about Moviola.