Oscar-Worthy ‘Up in the Air’ Gels With Shrewd Script, Fresh Faces, Unpredicted Realism

Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on December 5, 2009 - 4:46pm

CHICAGO – Director Jason Reitman is becoming like a fine wine. He’s maturing with age, tasting newer with each sip and leaving an aftertaste that makes you think you’ll savor what’s next.

And in his new romantic dramedy “Up in the Air,” he has managed to pour a likely Oscar contender on the unusual subject matter of flyover country and layoffs all while continuing to display his directorial range. He again uses some of his usual casting suspects (i.e. J.K. Simmons returns for a trifecta with Reitman after both “Juno” and “Thank You for Smoking” and Jason Bateman’s now on a double after “Juno”).

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Reitman describes “Up in the Air” as a personal journey in our recent interview with him on this film. In addition, he admits that the quest was daunting after coming off the Oscar-winning achievement with the surprise hit film “Juno” from writer Diablo Cody and stars Ellen Page and Michael Cera.

While George Clooney confidently delivers the lead as a nomad whose home is on the road (with a hilarious fetish for travel rewards), what’s most unexpected about this smart script is its infusion of Clooney’s perfectly cast love interest along with his pleasantly refreshing protégé.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Up in the Air”.

“Up in the Air,” which is written by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner based on the novel of the same name by Walter Kirn, stars George Clooney along with two sorely underrated actresses: Vera Farmiga (as Clooney’s on-the-road whirlwind romance) and Anna Kendrick.

Kendrick, who might not be remembered from “Twilight,” “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and 2010’s “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” definitely should be as the fast-talking master debater in 2007’s relatively unknown “Rocket Science” (despite its box-office flop and having only grossed $755,774 on a production budget of $6 million).

“Up in the Air” from writer and director Jason Reitman stars George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, Danny McBride, Sam Elliott, Zach Galifianakis, Chris Lowell, Steve Eastin, Adrienne Lamping and Dustin Miles. The film, which has a running time of 109 minutes, is rated “R” for language and some sexual content. “Up in the Air” opened on Dec. 4, 2009 in Chicago and limited theaters, will expand on Dec. 11, 2009 and Dec. 18, 2009 and will play nationwide beginning on Dec. 25, 2009.

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Up in the Air” review.