Clooney Takes Flight.

Rating: 9/10 (15 September 2015)

Up in the Air (2009): Dir: Jason Reitman / Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Melanie Lynskey: Provocative drama about decisions. George Clooney plays a go-between who spends most of his life travelling by plane to attend sessions where he is instructed to lay off jobs whose bosses prove too faint to take responsibility. Director Jason Reitman gives an extraordinary view of life reduced to planes and hotels. This is his third success after helming such great films as Thank You For Smoking and Juno. Clooney brings out an indifferent attitude yet faces his sister's wedding. This brings him out of his comfort zone of hotels and planes and places him in the realm of care and compassion. Vera Farmiga plays a woman he bonds with in his travels. At first the role seems unnecessary until interesting truths surfaces where Clooney let down his guard with regret. Anna Kendrick steals scenes as his assigned business associate still naïve about the nature of the job. She isn't a professional like Clooney but her love for life has her questioning the nature of her job. Jason Bateman is underused as their boss featured in a couple scenes. Melanie Lynskey plays the younger sister of the Clooney character. There are many cameos that perhaps should have been broadened as well. Strong case made about the importance of relationships. Score: 9 ½ / 10