Up in the Air (I) (2009)

With a job that has him traveling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.

Director:

Jason Reitman

Writers:

Walter Kirn (novel), Jason Reitman (screenplay),

Stars:

George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 64 wins & 66 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Clooney	...	Ryan Bingham
Vera Farmiga	...	Alex Goran
Anna Kendrick	...	Natalie Keener
Jason Bateman	...	Craig Gregory
Amy Morton	...	Kara Bingham
Melanie Lynskey	...	Julie Bingham
J.K. Simmons	...	Bob
Sam Elliott	...	Maynard Finch
Danny McBride	...	Jim Miller
Zach Galifianakis	...	Steve
Chris Lowell	...	Kevin
Steve Eastin	...	Samuels
Marvin Young	...	Young MC
Lucas MacFadden	...	Conference DJ (as Cut Chemist)
Adrienne Lamping	...	Tammy

Storyline

Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and just after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

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Plot Keywords:

suitcase | downsizing | business | computer | hotel | 

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Taglines:

Arriving soon

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amor sin escalas

Filming Locations:

Affton High School, Affton, Missouri, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,298,023 (UK) (15 January 2010)

Gross:

$83,813,460 (USA) (2 April 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Cold Spring Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min 108 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

If you look closely, you can see a jar of American Airlines Premium Snack Mix on top of Ryan Bingham's apartment refrigerator.

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Goofs

Even very frequent fliers are required to have their membership card swiped by the desk agent at the Admiral's Club. (It's the only way for AA to know how busy a given club is.) The most that would happen if they know a traveler really well is that they wouldn't ask to see their photo ID in addition to your Admiral's Club membership card.

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Quotes

Ryan Bingham: You know that moment when you look into somebody's eyes and you can feel them staring into your soul and the whole world goes quiet just for a second?
Natalie Keener: Yes.
Ryan Bingham: Right. Well, I don't.

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Crazy Credits

Over the end credits, the camera glides over the clouds. Much like the view from a plane.

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Connections

Referenced in Richard Roeper & the Movies: RR's Oscar Predictions: Best Supporting Actress (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Lonely in Love"
(2009)
Written by 'Matt Messina (I)' (as Mateo Messina)
Performed by Jeff Babko
Courtesy of kind Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Breathes New Air...

Director Jason Reitman, that has brought us great Indie classics such as Thank You for Smoking and Juno has crafted his most personal and most effective portrait to date, Up in the Air. The film stars George Clooney, also giving his most intimate and beautiful performance of his career, as Ryan, a traveling "Firing-Man," who plans on racking up as much frequent flyer miles as he can. Completely void of human connection and emotion, even from his two sisters, one of which is getting married, Ryan seems completely content with his choice of living. All seems well until he meets his female version in the beautiful and charismatic Alex, played with sexual force and intensity by Vera Farmiga. At the same time, a change at his job makes him acquire a student, Natalie, played with sensitivity and vigor by Anna Kendrick, to learn the ropes of the business before potentially making a devastating change to Ryan's way of life.

The film, based on the book of the same title, is a moving and witty piece of cinema. The line deliveries given are some of the best liners of the year. The adaptation by Reitman and Sheldon Turner is of beautiful and social importance in today's day and age. There was no better time than now, to bring a film like this to the table. Dana E. Glauberman's crisp and precise editing sets the pace as we travel with Ryan in this beautiful account. Reitman's direction shows he's a force to be reckoned with and should be in full blown force for Oscar consideration along with the adaptation shared with Turner.

George Clooney, who's having one hell of a year along with his other comedic turn in The Men Who Stare at Goats, gains sympathy and emotion from the viewer, which up until now, Clooney had always struggled for. The role is right up Clooney's alley and with humorous strength, conveys the pain and loneliness of an otherwise charming man successfully.

Vera Farmiga as Alex, is a beautiful as she is dark, and as sexy as she is ugly. Farmiga has finally landed the right role that, in her years of wrong place at the wrong time, should land her a first-time Oscar nomination. Never showing her hand, Farmiga keeps and earns your trust, attention, and admiration. It's one of the most divisive and structurally brilliant supporting turns of the year.

Seemingly not playing with a full deck is Natalie, played most beautifully by Anna Kendrick, who portrays brains don't equal smart choices. Kendrick earns your care and concern for the character, as she follows Ryan around and constantly badgers him about happiness and love, she naïvely and courageously shows the tenderest parts of youth in today's world. Kendrick will likely be sitting along side Farmiga at Oscar's ceremony.

Jason Bateman, playing Craig Gregory, the boss in charge, is amusing in a brief but memorable role. Amy Morton and Melanie Lynsky, who play Ryan's sisters, are valuable and sufficient enough to book end a wonderful tale. Danny McBride, an outstanding comic talent to watch, is as good as ever. And finally, in otherwise cameos, Sam Elliott and the great Zack Galifianakis are uproarious in their respective roles.

This could very well be the crowd and critical pleaser of the year. It has what the 2004 film Sideways lacked, the emotional edge. Long after the film, you take these characters home with you and remind yourself of its authenticity in delivery, poise, and premise. Up in the Air is one of the best pictures of the year. ****/****