Up in the Air

[PaloAltoCougar]

I decided to bail on work mid-afternoon and we hit the Cineplex for a viewing of Up in the Air, which includes a role for which George Clooney was perfectly suited. If you care enough to read this post, you probably know the storyline so I won’t provide a recap unless requested. But the movie is about personal connections—avoiding them, seeking them, breaking them and what one’s life becomes without them.

The film includes candid comments from non-actors who were recently fired or laid off, expressing anger, frustration, sadness and thoughts about what’s most important in their lives. It’s very funny at times, and deeply touching at others. Throughout, I thought of our CUF brothers and sisters who have been hurt by the current downturn and I felt increased empathy for them, although the movie makes clear that until you experience the trauma yourself, you really have no idea how hard it can be.

It’s rated R, but an acceptable R per Mrs. PAC’s standards (a few F words, though not many, and mild sexual references; oh, and Vera Farmiga’s backside). Clooney was great, as was pretty much everyone else, although I found his new sidekick a bit annoying but ultimately winning. On a scale of 1-10 I’d give the movie at least an 8, and it may be one of those films that grows on me as I think about it, which I will.

[MarkGrace]

I've tried several times to see Up In the Air this week, but it hasn't worked out yet. I've read great things, and it appears Jason Reitman has turned out his third terrific film in a row. That guy is really on fire.

[OhioBlue]

Thanks for the review PAC. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[MarkGrace]

9 Golden Globe noms. Looks like this thing is going to rack up the awards.

[MarkGrace]

It’s rated R, but an acceptable R per Mrs. PAC’s standards (a few F words, though not many, and mild sexual references; oh, and Vera Farmiga’s backside).

No way was that her rear!

I just saw this and thought it was a pretty exceptional movie. More than being romantic or particularly funny, it really strikes a note by capturing the current climate of our country in recession. Not only did I feel empathy for those in unfortunate situations, but I found myself taking stock of what is really important in my life. Education, career aspirations, and other superfluous things often dominate our thoughts, but what is really important are the relationships we maintain in our lives. Whether I have $1 in my bank account or $1,000,000, my happiness in life is ultimately derived from my relationships with family and friends.

The Clooney character was also an interesting metaphor for a culture that is becoming increasingly detached via technology. We're constantly on the internet, buried in blackberry's, and communicating via text, email, and other impersonal mediums. Clooney, despite being what most would consider the obviously detached figure in the movie, is actually one of the few who realizes the value of personal connection, especially in those difficult times.

Anyway, I walked out of the theater very uplifted knowing that the important people in my life will always be there in the hard times.

[Donuthole]

No way was that her rear!

I just saw this and thought it was a pretty exceptional movie. More than being romantic or particularly funny, it really strikes a note by capturing the current climate of our country in recession. Not only did I feel empathy for those in unfortunate situations, but I found myself taking stock of what is really important in my life. Education, career aspirations, and other superfluous things often dominate our thoughts, but what is really important are the relationships we maintain in our lives. Whether I have $1 in my bank account or $1,000,000, my happiness in life is ultimately derived from my relationships with family and friends.

The Clooney character was also an interesting metaphor for a culture that is becoming increasingly detached via technology. We're constantly on the internet, buried in blackberry's, and communicating via text, email, and other impersonal mediums. Clooney, despite being what most would consider the obviously detached figure in the movie, is actually one of the few who realizes the value of personal connection, especially in those difficult times.

Anyway, I walked out of the theater very uplifted knowing that the important people in my life will always be there in the hard times.

Great thoughts. I thought the same thing about her behind (its a dead giveaway when they never show the nudity and the face in the same frame). Besides, that behind was way too perfect to just happen to belong to the main actress (who, for whatever reason, doesn't strike me as the type to have a perfect ass).

I snuck away from work early yesterday and watched caught it. Like you, I was feeling really uplifted (albeit annoyed, as falafel kept texting me during the movie, and the old people behind me were getting pissed about it), and actually pondered a lot on the message as I laid awake in bed last night. I enjoyed how I would be laughing out loud at a part, and less than a minute later, would be struck by something really introspective.

In related news, today my wife found my ticket stub in my pocket when she was doing the laundry and was pissed because a) I went to an R-rated movie (mullah!), and b) I snuck away from work and didn't go home--I went to a movie by myself!

[BoylenOver]

The Clooney character was also an interesting metaphor for a culture that is becoming increasingly detached via technology. We're constantly on the internet, buried in blackberry's, and communicating via text, email, and other impersonal mediums. Clooney, despite being what most would consider the obviously detached figure in the movie, is actually one of the few who realizes the value of personal connection, especially in those difficult times.

I identified the same thing with Clooney's character, but couldn't verbalize it as well as you did.

And not to give anything away, but I thought the resolution to the story was fitting, and the final shot was fantastic.

[Green Lantern]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"] Like you, I was feeling really uplifted (albeit annoyed, as falafel kept texting me during the movie, and the old people behind me were getting pissed about it),

This is the most disturbing part of your comment. Are you saying you were actually responding to texts during a movie? Completely unconscionable.

[Donuthole]

This is the most disturbing part of your comment. Are you saying you were actually responding to texts during a movie? Completely unconscionable.

Yawn. If you can't hear my phone, it shouldn't affect you. If it it does, it's because you're paying more attention to me than to the movie.

FTR, I was not texting throughout the movie. I received a couple, sent a couple responses, and then ignored the phone until the movie was over.

[RobinFinderson]

Faith and I caught this film while we were still up in Montana, and I was underwhelmed, to say the least. Aside from Faith being inspired by Vera Farmiga's hair style (two days later she went to the salon and came back looking like Vera Farmiga, which was just fine by both of us), the movie failed to surprise me in any significant way. The story was more predictable than the story in Avatar. No choice made by any character at any point in the film, and no turn of the plot came as a surprise. Nothing. Add to this lack of surprise the plot-flop that was Clooney's Empty Backpack seminars, and I find myself really raising an eyebrow when I find out that this film is leading in awards nominations. If this movie wins out over The Hurt Locker, or Avatar, or The Fantastic Mr. Fox (loved it!), or A Serious Man (loved it!), or Inglorious Basterds, I will be disappointed.

[Viking]

This movie was not very believable. The "surprise" was implausible. It was entertaining but not deep nor worthy of awards

[Viking]

If this movie beats out Inglourious Basterds for Best Picture, I will never attend the movie theatre again

[Fiyero]

It's #33 on the IMDB 50 highest rated films of the decade.

http://www.imdb.com/chart/2000s

[MarkGrace]

This movie was not very believable. The "surprise" was implausible. It was entertaining but not deep nor worthy of awards

A movie was not believable? Get out of town!

[MarkGrace]

If this movie beats out Inglourious Basterds for Best Picture, I will never attend the movie theatre again

Now that was a believable movie!