UP IN THE AIR — ★★★1/2 — George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick; rated R (profanity, vulgarity, slurs, brief nudity, brief sex, brief drugs); in general release
"Up in the Air" has some pretty lofty goals.
Among other things, this satire tries to offer commentary on the personnel policies of the uncaring, money-comes-before-people corporate world.
As astute as some of those observations are, the better moments in the movie are actually the less ambitious, more grounded ones. What really strikes home are the observations about personal priorities, families and friendships.
Also, it's a clever, at-times very funny piece that features yet another winning performance from George Clooney, who stars as Ryan Bingham.
Middle-aged American Ryan is content to spend most of his time on the road — or, more accurately, to be up in the air. He flies all around the country, as a free-lance hatchet man who helps companies lay off and terminate large work forces.
And he's good at his job. It helps that he has no strings or ties.
However, he has just started an open, long-distance relationship with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), a flight attendant who's apparently a "road warrior" as well.
Unfortunately, Ryan has also gained a new apprentice. She's Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), who's freshly out of school and who is proposing that the company change its methods and cut costs, by reducing or eliminating travel.
So Ryan's boss (Jason Bateman) suggests she accompany him on the road, to see if her methods and measures can be employed.
This is another impressive effort for filmmaker Jason Reitman ("Thank You for Smoking," "Juno").
He and co-screenwriter Sheldon Turner vastly improved the sketchy source material by eliminating some go-nowhere subplots and unnecessary character bits.
Reitman also uses footage of real people who have been newly laid-off or fired, which gives this an authentic feel. (Bits featuring actors Zach Galifianakis and J.K. Simmons are integrated into this footage.)
The acting ensemble is good, top to bottom. Clooney might be playing a thinly veiled version of himself here, but he's well-matched with Farmiga, who brings some needed warmth and sex appeal.
Kendrick might be even better. Her initially icy character becomes surprisingly vulnerable, thanks to her convincing turn.
Smaller but effective support is offered by Bateman, as well as Melanie Lynskey, as Ryan's younger sister, and Danny McBride, as his brother-in-law-to-be.
"Up in the Air" is rated R for strong sexual language (profanity and crude slang terms, as well as other sexually suggestive talk), derogatory language and slurs, brief female nudity, some sexual contact and a brief sex scene (mostly implied), and brief drug references. Running time: 108 minutes.
e-mail: jeff@desnews.com