I'm sorry kids, but Avatar, New Moon, and Alvin and the Chipmunks are in the OTHER theaters....

Rating: 10/10 (2 January 2010)

It's hard to exactly put into words just how great this film is. After observing Jason Reitman's rise to fame with such very good films as Thank you For Smoking and Juno, this film clearly cements him as one of the top directors working for intelligent adult audiences today.
What Reitman actually accomplishes in this film through his screen writing, directing, and editing pretty much puts 95% of the other directors in Hollywood to shame. Unlike most Hollywood films that are made for marketing purposes to cater to a wide demographic in order to make cash, it's clear that this film isn't trying to please anyone or any studio executive. It never talks down to its audience by telling them how they should feel or what they should think, and never gives the audience any hint as to where the story is headed. I saw this film with my dad the other day, and he said that he was disappointed by the second half of the movie because it didn't have a message or any kind of clear resolution. I replied back to him...well that's what elevates this film beyond 95% of the mindless drivel out there in Hollywood these days! It's called originality. It's called allowing your audience to ponder what the movie was about, who the characters really were as people, rather than just going through the motions of a recycled, cliché-ridden plot (Avatar, anyone?). I also overheard a few women leaving the theater who thought it was OK, but were kind of disappointed that Clooney never got to fall in love and marry one of the women at the end! Oh no! God forbid Hollywood screenwriters and directors avoid romantic comedy clichés and actually tell us a realistic story about human nature and human behavior! (sarcasm)
It's unfortunate that IMDb limits the number of words that I can use in this review, because I would like to write 10 pages explaining the greatness of this film. Where to start? 1) the movie is completely character driven, with all of the characters developed as 3-dimensional, likable, yet flawed people who are seen as very human and easy to relate to. Even Vera Farmiga's character, who we find out near the end is somewhat devilish, is seen as a human and likable person who doesn't know she is hurting someone else. The film doesn't care one bit about some kind of plot or climax, much like recent films "Sideways" and "A Serious Man." The characters just go about their daily business and we focus on who they are as people. 2) the humor and dialogue are outstanding because they focus on verbal wit and intelligent flirting/jousting rather than on stupid physical/slapstick gags. The "R" rating also allows the film to take risks with its dialogue because it can dare to go places "PG-13" films can't go. Most of this dialogue moves at a blistering pace, so you really have to pay attention to keep up. However, what really elevates this humor above that of other films is that it is so witty and based on normal human behavior! The 3 main characters all get a chance to shine comedically, but all of their comedy is based on realistic human behavior and genuine conversations people might have. 3) the film doesn't talk down to us an audience or preach to us about its message, but rather explores big ideas about work obsession, evolving technology, interpersonal connections, human desires, moral vs. immoral behavior, and lets us ponder them ourselves. The film especially focuses on these issues in its 2nd half, when the film suddenly stops being a laugh-a-thon and instead decides to become more dramatic and emotional. Some viewers may not like how the tone suddenly changes in its 2nd half, but I see it as a masterful move. 4) It's rare to see a romance between a couple that is older than the typical Hollywood romantic couple. Clooney - 40s and Farmiga - late 30s, and they are busy flirting and having as much fun as kids in a candy store! If there is one thing romantic movies these days usually tend to discriminate against, it's age. 5) Jason Reitman is working with very delicate material here, and the scenes with people being told they are fired are pretty emotional. Given today's economy, these parts may be a little too much for some viewers. Clooney's loneliness and search for a relationship are also pretty sad, but Reitman balances these emotions with the humor and wit wonderfully to not make the film either too humorous or too somber.
The audience in the theater I saw this in was packed and about 2/3 female (I am a male), who were probably mostly there to see a romantic comedy starring Mr. super hunk Clooney. Yes, this film does have plenty of great comedy and plenty of romance. However, it is far different from your typical Hollywood romantic comedy that focuses on clichés and one-dimensional characters. It is much more of a thought-provoking, Sociology-oriented film about people's individual needs, characteristics, and motivations, and is especially relevant with regards to our current culture and society. In fact, most of the content of this movie should be of great interest to men, since at its heart it's about Clooney's sense of masculinity and how he allows his nonstop work schedule to act as a crutch to avoid any kind of deep, meaningful relationship he might have with a person. This is much more of an artsy, independent film than a typical Hollywood blockbuster aimed at making cash. With the 200 or so mainstream films released in America every year, only 3 or 4 of them are ever on this level of greatness. Adult audiences with intelligent brains who hate being preached to at movies should see this puppy 2 or 3 times to improve its box office profits. I know I am going to.