Up In The Air

Overview

George Clooney has been making a habit of anthropomorphising himself this summer. First he played a fox in Wes Anderson's spell-binding Fantastic Mr Fox and now, in Up In The Air, he plays an entirely different kind of predator.

“We are not swans,” his character Ryan Bingham says to a room full of business associates, “We’re sharks. The slower we move, the faster we die.” And when Clooney says it, with his gleaming white teeth and dead eyes, you believe him. The role is a perfect fit. Clooney, who’s always been chilled out, has never looked this cold-blooded or at ease before. Perhaps Oceans 11 comes close, but unlike that film, Up In The Air is about something.

Ryan Bingham is a “career-transition counsellor”. His job is to fire people from large corporations and he spends almost all his time jetting across America to different failing companies. He lives in a sterile limbo of faux geniality, pillow mints, mini bars and no emotional connections. When someone asks him where he’s from he says “I’m from here” gesturing to his business class seat.

The movie is directed by Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman, who made Ghostbusters (yay!) but also Junior (boo!). Unlike his dad, Reitman Jr isn’t afraid to put a bitter coating on a sweet pill. The movie is as hip and glib as you would expect from the man who made Juno, with awesome comedic cameos from Zach Galifianakis, and J.K. Simmons. But it also features heartbreakingly raw scenes featuring non-actors who were actually made redundant.

There aren’t that many mainstream directors who have the courage to allow you to indulge in slick Hollywood escapism but are also prepared to pull the rug out from under you when you least expect it.

The two supporting actresses Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick are also excellent, as is Jason Bateman as Clooney's smug boss. Up in The Air is an hilarious and ultimately chilling film about modern alienation. Like a Rom Com version of American Psycho.

We have three double passes to give away, thanks to Paramount Pictures. Email your details to hello@concreteplayground.com.au with UP IN AIR GIVEAWAY in the subject line for your chance to win.