Not as good as they promised

Rating: 3/10 (12 April 2010)

Up in the Air has a contrived plot with likable characters and interesting depictions of a fictitious occupation designed to play on the current political climate. It is agenda-driven and ultimately predictable. George Clooney does an admirable job of establishing Ryan Bingham then phones in the remainder. Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick give compelling performances, but their characters have initial moments of interest followed by spotty hits and misses. Ryan's hometown scenes add little other than reinforcing the message that flyover country is filled with simpletons.
I might have given this a higher rating, but it was hyped so much as a great film, it fell way below expectation.