Just had a flashback while watching this

Rating: 8/10 (2 May 2016)

I just watched this movie again tonight (5-2-16), first time since right after it was released. I am VERY interested and knowledgeable in economics compared to most folks. Part of the success and impact of this movie is that it is one of the very best to capture the vast amount of despair that was going on in USA in 2009. VAST numbers of people, the vast majority of whom had done nothing wrong in their jobs, were fired because of the near Depression that hit then. I am 65 yrs old. By FAR IT WAS the worst economic downturn in my lifetime. "Up" showed how different people can react to different awful news that is a life changer. That and the scenes at the wedding of Ryan's relative are what linger in my mind. Shows that personal relationships for most people are the most important things in life.
About the SHOCKING revelation that Alex is not only married but has kids. Now that I have seen the movie a 2nd time, I consider this the one substantial weakness in the movie. Would a married mom with kids go with Ryan to his family wedding? Keep her private life completely hidden, without even warning Ryan to never, ever just show up at her home? I didn't and don't buy it. Earlier scenes should have been handled differently. BUT I still think this is a wonderful movie. And the acting was great by the 3 primary characters.