Probably not. I'm confident my hometown is one of the least desirable destinations in North America. A fly over city, if you will.
Ironically making it the perfect location for Jason Reitman's latest film, Up in the Air.
Like every other person sitting in theatre 3 at Creve Coeur, Missouri's AMC 12 this morning, a little sense of pride fluttered up on the inside of me as I watched George Clooney strut through our modest and under-appreciated airport, sit in our three-star hotel lobbies, and act with the best extras our city has to offer.
The story follows Ryan Bingham, a 50-something who has spent a good part of his adult life living out of suitcases and enjoying it. Ryan isn't really interested in getting married, starting a family and "settling down." Nor is he interested in the people he is contracted out to fire everyday. Just about the only thing that interests Ryan is accumulating ten million frequent flyer miles, which just after a few more trips out for work, he will reach. However, everything changes when he meets the anal and ambitious Natalie, a young recruit to the 'corporate downsizing' team, who revolutionizes the way in which people like Ryan fire people. Thanks to Natalie, he no longer needs to fly anywhere for work... ever again. In an begrudged attempt to save his lifestyle, Ryan takes Natalie along on his next series of fires. By the end, they both realize that the lives they are leading aren't necessarily all they were cracked up to be.
I liked this film.
You will find some really great performances from Clooney, Vera Farminga, Anna Kendrick, and Danny McBride.
The theme of an isolated life in a world full of strangers is interesting and most definitely timely. It seems like the more connected our society becomes by way of high-speed transportation, media, and social networking sites, the easier it is to not really know or connect to anyone.
As I watched the film, I couldn't help but think of a writer friend of mine dealing with a similar theme in a script he's working on at the moment. It's certainly worthy of more exploration.
What also made the film timely was the way in which it integrated the current economic climate by combining Bingham's profession with the recession. However, I found the 'real people' used in some of the firing montages to be contrived and ever so slightly preachy... leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
I liked that Ryan Bingham was a sort of anti-hero. I liked even more that the ending was neither clear cut or 'happy.' I won't go as far to call the film existential... mainly because I believe the film to be more about the necessity of human connection than it is about 'living.'
So yes. Up in the Air is a good film that is worth watching.
But I'm not so sure deserves the hype.
6 Golden Globe noms and Oscar buzz??? Hmmmmm...
