Up in the Air (2009/I)

Director:

Jason Reitman

Writers (WGA):

Jason Reitman (screenplay) and
Sheldon Turner (screenplay) and
Walter Kirn (novel)

Release Date:

23 December 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The story of a man ready to make a connection.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Suitcase | Downsizing | Business | Travel | Airport

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 44 wins & 53 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	...	Himself (as Young MC)
Lucas MacFadden	...	Conference DJ (as Cut Chemist)
Adrienne Lamping	...	Tammy

Also Known As:

"Mileage, My Life" - Japan (English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

Canada:108 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #45561) | New Zealand:M | Ireland:15A | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | Japan:G | Canada:G (Quebec) | Singapore:PG | Finland:S | Australia:M | Finland:K-3 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Portugal:M/12 | Netherlands:AL | South Africa:13L | Sweden:Btl | Brazil:12 | Mexico:B | Argentina:13 | South Korea:15 | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:IIA | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) (Blu-ray rating) | Malaysia:PG-13 | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

Affton High School, Affton, Missouri, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

There are no special privileges awarded by American Airlines for reaching 10 million miles as depicted in the movie - this was a case of artistic license by the filmmakers. However, American (like almost all major airlines with frequent flier programs) does offer special status for reaching 1 million miles. As of 2009, it is estimated that about 400,000 frequent fliers worldwide have reached this plateau in at least one airline's program. In addition, many airlines - American included - have special invitation-only programs for their most valued customers, usually CEOs who can direct a lot of revenue their way. Perks include faster check-in, escorts to make close connections, and in rare cases free private flights to replace canceled ones.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When pictures of Ryan's sister and her fiancé's cardboard cutout are taken at sites of interest, you can see the hand of the person holding the photo. When the pictures are displayed, even Ryan's, the hand of the person holding the cardboard cutout has disappeared. However, the photos were taken using a digital camera. The clone tool and other techniques could have been used to "photoshop" the hand out.

Quotes:

Ryan Bingham:If you think about it, your favorite memories, the most important moments in your life... were you alone? Life's better with company.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Taylor Lautner/Bon Jovi (#35.9)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Angel in the Snow

George Clooney shows something he has never shown before. vulnerability.

Halfway through this movie I considered it an 8 out of 10 and decently spent money. The second half came as a big surprise. George Clooney let go of all his suave and let his eyes show fear and isolation that real people feel.

There were two things going on in this movie. On one end, we were looking at the people getting fired. On the other end, we were seeing the problems with Ryan's way of life. The interviews at the end with the people who lost their jobs explaining that it was family and support that brought them through bad times hit a perfect note for bringing both parts of the story together.

The title of this film literally explains what it is like to not know what aspects of your life are solid, such as a home or a significant other. Everything going on is simply up in the air. One day, what you thought was one way will turn out to be something else entirely.

Best of Reitman's three. Very much recommend it.