Up in the Air

Plot: Based on the novel by Walter Kirn, a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened by a young naive new employee, starts to realize the downfalls to his way of life.

Starring: Oscar Winner George Clooney, Oscar Nominee Vera Farmiga, Oscar Nominee Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Melanie Lynskey, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis, Chris Lowell,

Review: Ryan (Clooney) fires people for a living. He's very good at it. He enjoys his job. His sole purpose in life is to rack up frequent flier miles. He has no life. The road is his life, and he is perfectly content without the baggage of human relationships. That is, until two women enter is life. One is a naive new employee he takes on the road with him to show her the reality that is their job. In the process, they are both changed. A funny, thought-provoking drama that asks the question, "What is life all about?" Is it our jobs or is it the relationships we develop in our lives? Wonderfully acted by Clooney and Kendrick. Farmiga was OK, but not worthy of the Oscar nod though I do like her as an actress. It was extremely well-written (it got robbed of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar) even though it was a story I've seen before. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a movie that makes you feel good while still retaining its intelligence.

Awards:

2010	Nominated	Oscar	Best Achievement in Directing Jason Reitman
			Best Motion Picture of the Year Daniel Dubiecki Ivan Reitman Jason Reitman
			Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role George Clooney
			Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Vera Farmiga
			Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Anna Kendrick
			Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Jason Reitman Sheldon Turner

Rating: Acting-A

Writing-A

Directing-A

Music-B

Cinematography-A

Editing-A

Costumes-B

Art Direction-A

Hair-A

Makeup-B

Visual Effects-A

*** Stars