Rent Up in the Air (2009)

Fascinating insight into downsizers - Up in the Air review by CP Customer

Although the jet set lifestyle portrayed by Clooney seemed attractive I found the job he did to be fascinating enough to look up the research the film makers did. The workers being fired were all based on real people and their feelings when it happened. Their words in the closing credits are genuine accounts. Up In The Air was originally a book, and both it and the film give insights into the disconnect between corporate personnel management and the staff being managed. The words and scripts Clooney uses will be familiar to anyone who has worked in a big organisation. The concept of a professional firer doing the dirty work seems at odds with Clooney's charming manner, which just makes it all the more horrifying.

An insightful tale gently told - Up in the Air review by AD

Clooney finds his medicine doesn't really work and ends up, well, let's not ruin the plot. I enjoyed this gentle but meaningful film which gives us a dose of reality.

A brilliant & profound musing on growing old & the changing world impacting how people work - Up in the Air review by TB

When Up In The Air (UITA) was released, it garnered across the board 5 star reviews. The easy charm of Clooney, alongside the minutiae of looking at how a man whose primary job was to travel around the world firing people was always going to be a winner if done well. Fortunately, the writer & director is Jason Reitman, who has made a career of a film with gentle musings and big impacts. Here, he has assembled an incredible cast as well as brilliant crew to bring this script to life.

Ryan Bingham is an “employee-termination” specialist who works for a company hired by organisations who wanted to get rid of their employees but didn’t have the guts to fire them using their own people. Hence, they pay Ryan extortionate amounts to travel all over the country and do it for them. Whilst he is travelling, he meets & starts a casual relationship with Alex, a fellow traveller, meeting up in different states when their schedules combine. Ryan’s life is also changing as well in terms of the goals he has set himself, combined with his advancing years. 

This film is unashamedly Clooney’s. There is almost no other actor on this planet who could play the role of someone who goes around sacking people & make you like them. There is a smoothness, alongside a genuine want to help these individuals find other employment, often better than the job that they are losing. Clooney is a professional at this type of role and his effortless charm & genuine warmth makes him a pleasure to be with. Similarly, Vera Farmiga is outstanding, her sharp businesswoman front giving way to a gentle & tender soul. Anna Kendrick finally rounds things off with her performance as a determined & deeply ambitious woman who then realises the job she has let herself in for. 

As the film progresses, you begin to really buy in to the world that Reitman has created, especially some of the scenes towards the end, including a powerful one where Ryan is forced to confront what he has been running away from most of his life. The music, cinematography & locations brilliantly used, subtle & powerful. Despite its 15 rating, there is only some casual uses of strong language. Overall this is an exceptionally gentle & profound film and one I loved spending the time being a part of.

Highly recommended  

Full of Surprise - Up in the Air review by CP Customer

Pleasantly surprised by the "independant" feel to this film. Didn't expect too much from it thus exceeded all my expectations of a "cloony" film.

Worth watching - Up in the Air review by CP Customer

Having chosen this film as it had been Oscar nominated I suppose I could say that I was disappointed. Clooney is good, but the has a depressing existence throughout the film, which although it is touched on, he didn't have a big enough epiphany for me. Great aerial shots of the US in this, although the story lacks a bit of depth.

Feel good film, interesting - Up in the Air review by CP Customer

Feel good film with interesting, original story line. Love George anyway. Quite sad undertone to this story line.

Air Today, Gone Tomorrow. - Up in the Air review by KG

Forgettable, easy watch of a film.

If you want to learn how to get through airport security in an efficient manner, this is the film for you!!

Apart from that we follow Ryans life, living out of his suitcase and the relationships that are made, however fleetingly as he journeys through his work life.

Not a must watch by any means, but if you like Clooney, or just want an easy film to watch, it could suit your needs.