Thought I'd kick this review off with another tasty treat, just to go along with the theme of delicious desserts inspired by Oscar nominees. Just as you may remember those hilarious Avatarts for Avatar, check out the Up in the Air eclair, or the Up in the Eclair, another great recipe from Cakespy.
Up in the Air follows the life of Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a corporate downsizer and constant traveler. His closest relationship is with his frequent flyer miles membership card, and his biggest ambition is to pass the coveted 10 million mile mark. While on the road, he begins a casual relationship with another frequent flyer, Alex (Farmiga). At work, Ryan experiences a structural change in the company as a young entrepreneur and ingenue, Natalie (Kendrick) introduces a new business plan that eliminates traveling altogether. Feeling threatened as his whole life is turned upside down, Ryan is then forced to take Natalie on the road to teach her the ropes.
I. loved. this. movie. It had such a wonderful quality to it, a quality that is distinctly Jason Reitman. This movie is essentially a drama and it has so many depressing factors, but yet there's this funny, witty undertone throughout the whole movie that makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time. This movie is innately sad--at the core, it's about a man who travels from company to company just to tell people they're fired. He does the dirty work and as a result, he breaks apart families, relationships, and dreams. You then see this juxtaposed with his own sad life as he's unable to form any real relationships with other people. At the end of this movie, you can't help but wonder what you're doing with your own life and what kind of relationships you've kept and haven't kept.
I won't get too much into the story because I don't want to spoil it, but definitely go see this movie if you're looking for something thoughtful and thought provoking. I really think that's what makes a good movie--not the special effects, the stars, or the witty banter, but if what's at the very heart and lifeline of the movie makes you think and rethink.
Let me just also go on to say that the cast was fantastic. I really thought Jason Reitman cast this movie perfectly. I'm so glad he took that chance on Anna Kendrick, a little known actress most notably known for her supporting role in the Twilight saga movies, because she is absolutely amazing in this movie. She's hilarious and heartfelt, and alot of people can relate to that naivete, the kind that is so distinct of a freshly graduated, hungry, young professional, that she has at the beginning of the movie.
My final thoughts on Up in the Air: Definitely stiff competition with Avatar and The Hurt Locker, as those are the three movies I believe it will come down to, but I'm really pulling for this movie. Personally, Up in the Air is my best picture pick, and rightfully so because it is fantastic, not over the top, not super preachy, just a great look inside relationships and the places you go in life.
My previous best picture reviews:
Avatar
An Education
What's left:
A Serious Man
District 9
Inglorious Basterds
Precious
The Blind Side
The Hurt Locker
Up
Yikes. I've seen all of them, but I saw most of these when they were first released, which was quite awhile ago. May have to rewatch some of these to jog my memory. Better get to movin'--the Oscars are right around the corner on March 7.
Meanwhile, you guys go spend your money during this recession and watch these movies, because at least you know they'll be worth your dollars and cents.
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