Ryan Bingham enjoys living out of a suitcase for his job, travelling around the country firing people, but finds that lifestyle threatened by the presence of a potential love interest, and a new hire.
A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multibillion-dollar class action suit.
Director:
Tony Gilroy
Stars:
George Clooney,
Tilda Swinton,
Tom Wilkinson
Satirical comedy follows the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son.
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-traveller woman of his dreams.
Jason Reitman has worked with J.K. Simmons in Thank You for Smoking (2005), Juno (2007), Young Adult (2011), Labor Day (2013), and Men, Women & Children (2014). See more »
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. See more »
Quotes
Maynard Finch:
[referring to his frequent flier miles]
You're the youngest person so far to hit ten million. I don't know where you find the time
Ryan Bingham:
[dumbfounded after reaching his goal]
I don't know
Maynard Finch:
[Hands him the lifetime executive status card]
We really appreciate your loyalty.
Ryan Bingham:
I've thought about this moment so many times, I even thought about the conversation we'd have
Maynard Finch:
What'd you want to say?
Ryan Bingham:
Now I don't remember
Maynard Finch:
That's alright it happens to all of us, where are you from?
Ryan Bingham:
[realizing he has no home]
'm from here
See more »
Crazy Credits
Over the end credits, the camera glides over the clouds. Much like the view from a plane. See more »
Up In The Air is a nice movie - a good satire about work and a comedy about the price of modern business.
It looks like its going to mop up at the awards and I'm just not convinced it really deserves to.
Why? Well, it has a good performance from Clooney as the confident consultant and good directorship, but it lacks true honesty - it sacrifices real integrity for Hollywood feelings and I'm not sure i want to see the top awards going on a film-flam type of film.
Others will say this is honest and strong and entertaining (A tough act to pull off) but even though it is a nice film, well made, strong performances etc; it just somehow is a little trite. Even Clooney, who really can make anything work, ends up a little bemused. I think its a shame that films like $5 a day, which we loved, will be chiefly ignored and this will be lauded to the skies.
Fun to watch and it does have heart; but for out money it is too shallow to really deserve all the accolades coming its way.
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Up In The Air is a nice movie - a good satire about work and a comedy about the price of modern business.
It looks like its going to mop up at the awards and I'm just not convinced it really deserves to.
Why? Well, it has a good performance from Clooney as the confident consultant and good directorship, but it lacks true honesty - it sacrifices real integrity for Hollywood feelings and I'm not sure i want to see the top awards going on a film-flam type of film.
Others will say this is honest and strong and entertaining (A tough act to pull off) but even though it is a nice film, well made, strong performances etc; it just somehow is a little trite. Even Clooney, who really can make anything work, ends up a little bemused. I think its a shame that films like $5 a day, which we loved, will be chiefly ignored and this will be lauded to the skies.
Fun to watch and it does have heart; but for out money it is too shallow to really deserve all the accolades coming its way.