Up In The Air

Man, do I want to hare George Clooney. Successful, good looking talented and, most frustratingly of all, it appears he's also a thoroughly nice guy. The man has a charm that is irresistable. This film also has a similar charm, a fact made clear by the fact you warm easily to a character who is, being blunt, a bit of a dick.

Clooney plays the part perfectly. Brilliantly understated, he never attempts to steal limelight or dazzle, just simply acting brilliantly the role of a man who's job it is to fire people when their bosses are too weak to do so themselves. He's also a man who's aim in life is to fly more air miles than anyone before him, a goal he holds before relationships, family and pretty much anything else in life. Needless to say, over the course of the film, he is forced to question this life and the contempt he dishes out on all those around him. It's within this unfurling of his character that the film finds not only it's warmth but also it's bleakness. It dances from sweet and often hilarious scenes to moments of pure loneliness and biting sadness. Despite the constant shifts in moods, it remains brilliantly watchable throughout and is a true understated treat. Were it not for director Jason Reitman's previous films (Juno, Thank You For Smoking), and the brilliant reviews it's received, I suspect this film would have passed me by. I'm so glad it didn't as it is a brilliantly charming movie that entertains throughout. Make sure you don't miss out.