A grown up film at last

Rating: 8/10 (28 January 2010)

Well, would you believe it? A Hollywood film that takes its' time, does not flinch from showing what it is like to have the American Dream kicked from under you, and does not have a happy ending. Um, after the absolute rubbish of 'Avatar' some one is still trying out there on the west coast. The story of a single corporate man busily maintaining his isolation and professional objectivity (Clooney) as he busily fires people very professionally as a sub contractor, is a sombre (but lightened by some comedy) theme. It harks back to Frank Capra and sixties European art-house with 'a man in search of his own identity' - indeed the final shot of Clooney standing in front of an airport departures screen is almost a replica of Marcello Mastroianni at the end of 'La Dolce Vita' staring at the huge fish on the beach. The script does not play too high but reels out comfortably. It does not quite have James Stewart or Jack Lemmon to really give it oomph, but George Clooney gives it an understated quality that works quite well. The supports are okay, but the plot for the last forty minutes as things are tied up and characters find their redemption or not feels forced and jerky. Vera Farmiga's character would seem to have as many if not more issues than Clooney's - or is the message that women in the USA can have it all - family, career and great sex on the side? But it just about keeps going, even if you feel a little cheated at the end. There's even enough for Anna Kendrick's character to semi-triumph and the 'real' unemployed to give a message of hope to Americans that all is well in the great country - when it patently isn't. As I say, after the numbing clichés of 'Avatar' and the tosh now being served up in the multiplexes, this is a refreshing and welcome movie.