Day three of our annual Christmas countdown of the top 25 movies of 2010 brings us to number 23 on the list. Released right at the very start of the year it still remains fresh in the memory as a quality example of modern cinematic storytelling.
Up in the Air is a slightly strange movie. It’s almost autobiographical with regards to it’s main star George Clooney. Clooney plays a man that distances himself from real relationships, finding solace instead in existence as a nomadic gun-for-hire specialist in the art of firing people. When his situation changes and he is forced to re-evaluate his life just what kind of man will he find himself to be.
Why it’s worthy: That the movie echoes parts of Clooney’s own life gives an ease and a familiarity to his performance. His Ryan Bingham, is familiar and yet an unknown. Clooney’s character is driven with a single purpose that he can’t explain. His quest to reach 10 million air miles is a pointless folly, but at least it gives some meaning to his existence. He’s a complicated man is our Clooney/Bingham. Vera Farmiga is a great foil as the female version of George. “Think of me as yourself — only with a vagina.” Indeed! They make a cute couple and provide the audience with flights of fancy as to how they might end up together. Anna Kendrick plays the fresh-faced, full of hope for the future (who will soon learn the world is a big bad place) with fervour, and manages to add a tenderness, warmth and humour to proceedings. The pacing is good, the balance between the darker drama and lighter comedy is almost pitch perfect. There’s a lot to like here.
Fatal flaws: It’s very easy for people to dislike this movie as a conceited, self-important piece of rubbish not worthy of a second look, but that is to miss the point. Yes it’s smug, and it’s star even more so, but that is typical of modern Hollywood. Taken out of the context of modern Hollywood certain saccharine elements of the plot will bother people. The Walter Kirn book that this is based on had a more more satirical, scathing outlook at modern corporate culture which the modern manages to glaze over. Apart from J.K. Simmons usual firebrand persona, everyone is very nicey nicey. Oh and what is Zach Galifianakis doing in this?
Verdict: If it connects with you then you are in for a treat. This is Clooney at his very best, his most playful, most human performance to date.
