Directed by: Jason Reitman
Written by: Walter Kirn (novel), Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner
Ryan Bingham enjoys his lifestyle: he flies across the country, because different companies hire him to fire people. His philosophy is to avoid commitment, and his job emphasizes that. But Ryan feels like his lifestyle is threatened by two women: a potential love interest and a new co-worker, who wants to change the whole system.
I was just browsing Netflix when I stumbled upon Up in the Air. I hadn't heard about it before, but I decided to watch it anyway.
First of all, is that a real job? Can someone's job actually be firing people in other companies? It might be a better system for the employers, but that must suck for a) employees and b) the person who has to fire like hundred people in a month, if not more. Yikes.
While it might not be the main point of this film, Up in the Air can show how annoying it might be the employees when everything is computerized. Sure, some co-workers of Ryan Bingham may enjoy how they don't have to leave their hometown and all that, but Bingham is used to travelling. He points out that the airport is his home. And let's be honest, firing people through computers might be extremely alienating, when they can't even be in the same room with the person who is telling them their position is no longer available. Also this kind of job would be more interesting if you can actually see "the world" (mostly the U.S. but still) while doing so.
Also the main character's philosophy is interesting. It's basically telling you to give up everything, because every commitment you have weighs you down and stops you from going forward. He makes me think of a weird version of Tyler Durden, except Ryan Bingham isn't running a group of terrorists. Ryan Bingham is an interesting character, considering many people have probably dreamed of a life like that: you don't have to contact your family, but you're not alone, because you meet new people every day. You're alone in the sense that you don't have to commit to relationships, but you're not actually lonely. But when you see the film, you start realising how empty Bingham's life really is, and that gets to you. While some people certainly could be satisfied by Bingham's life choices, you start wondering what if you couldn't pull it off?
Because of that this film makes me think of Alfie. In that film, a womanizer Alfie is so happy with his life, but eventually he realises how empty his life is. I think Bingham has the same kind of realization.
During most of the film the viewer feels miserable. It's like nothing good happens. The part that's supposed to be happy - Bingham's sister's wedding - is completely drowned in a melancholy music, which makes it seem like even then Bingham isn't actually happy because he is missing all of that, and that's... It feels faux. And because of most of the latter part of the film is so melancholy and miserable, it makes you think if there were any kind of happy moments in this film.
The biggest disappointment in this film has to be the soundtrack. The first song is extremely good, but the actual soundtrack is lame. It does it's job, but you wouldn't listen to the soundtrack when you're doing something else.
Up in the Air is a good film in a way - it makes you think about life and all that. But still if you fell completely miserable after the film, and not even in the really sad way that makes you want to cry your eyes out, what's the point? It doesn't give a really good feeling about the film. I had the same experience with Alfie, and I haven't touched that film since. I doubt I'll be seeing this movie ever again.
☆☆☆☆☆
5 / 10
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