Up In The Air, What?????

[janienj]

Hey All,

First, since this area was created for unloading some good and not so good diatribes, here it goes...

What is the deal with "Up In The Air?" I saw the movie last night and, well, let's just say that I just, well, didn't get it. Why is this film and the screenplay by Jason Reitman Oscar-worthy? There is a completely annoying radio ad in New York City playing over and over that proclaims Jason Reitman as the next William Goldman. What? I thought this film was esoteric at best and a depressing journey of the harsh realities of the current state of unemployment. I am currently unemployed so lets just say that I can relate but still, am I way off? Has the Academy of Motion Pictures lost its friggin' mind? "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince grossed over $933 million dollars worldwide in 2009 and not a mere mention. What do you think???

Thanks
Janie

[oz]

I hear ya, Janie. I personally think I liked it better than you but did it deserve Best Picture status? Hmmmm. Then again I wouldn't have traded it out for the Harry Potter edition regardless of it's gross.

I think part of the problem is we've been blasted with such mindless (dare I say, stupid) comedies for the last several years and to find Oscar-worthy pictures that have big stars included (which the academy likes) can be tough sometimes. Personally, and I know I'll get hit for this, I would have rather seen My Sister's Keeper up there. It was a terrific film.

Either way, though, they love the depressing journey and the harsh realities and the uncomfortable scenarios that these films place their characters in and hopefully they're well done, too.

But, what do I know. I didn't understand Juno winning. Just because it was so different didn't make it that great, in my opinion. It WAS cute, but Oscar-worthy? Hmmm. Guess it's the same thing with all the writers up in arms about 500 Days of Summer not being nominated. Yeah, it was a great, different SCRIPT experience for US, but was it a GREAT movie? Haven't personally seen it but have heard plenty of non-writers say it just wasn't that good. I'll still judge for myself, but, Hmmmm.

[teamcoco]

So what were the specifics about your dislike for UP IN THE AIR? I personally liked the film, although it was a touch predictable.

[echenry]

Janine,

Billy Mernit did a GREAT post on "Up in the Air," back in December. It's called "Airworld" and you can find it here:

livingromcom.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/index.html

For my money 2009 was slim pickings for GOOD movies. I LIKED "Up in the Air." Just not enough to jump up and down about it. Liked Jason Reitman's "Juno" much better. Did you like that movie?

Your comments are spot-on. "Up in the Air" is about the harsh realities of the current state of unemployment." But you need SOME movies to take a look at what's going on in the world and attempt to expose it, and make some sense of things. What I THINK you're railing against is the ride "Up in the Air" takes you on. Kinda hints at being a romantic comedy, but in the end it's more of a tragedy.

There's a lot of buzz about Jason Reitman -- and rightfully so! This guy is well on his way to being one of Hollywood's top directors. Wouldn't YOU want him to make a movie of one of your screenplays? I know I would. He sounds like a VERY FUN GUY to work with. Praise emerging talent, don't bash it. Someday you may be the one who's emerging...

Almost done going over "A Hero Never Dies." Had a rough weekend working on my brother's house. Very hard, physically demanding work. That and watching the Superbowl ate into my time that I was going to dedicate to your script.

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

[Jeff Messerman]

As usual, I'm the odd man out.

I thought Up In the Air was a masterpiece.

For a film that's a snapshot of where we are as a culture during these times, you couldn't ask for a better one.

[adamcarter216]

It's a top 5 flick of the year for me. The dialogue was as smooth as a baby's buttocks, and Clooney's Ryan Bingham was one of the most well-developed characters in a while. His relationship with Natalie was such a wonderful illustration of two contrasting world views and ideologies going head-to-head. The old school vs. the new age.

[janienj]

Hey All,

Okay so thank you all for chiming in. Jeff, you really thought it was a masterpiece?
You have to tell me why you think so. I need to be enlightened, and I am not kidding. I got the same feeling a couple of years back when "In The Bedroom" was nominated. I guess I am more of a mainstream kinda gal, but I also thought George Clooney did an amazing job in Michael Clayton, O'Brother, Three Kings, etc. but this one where he essentially played a character that he knows all too well didn't seem like much of a stretch. I read an amazing book a couple of years ago called "All About Oscar" and it expounded on the politics and march to Oscar night and what a studio will do to push for a win. I am not cynical but it made me wonder. And E.C., I liked "Juno" a lot. I think I have a lot to learn in the area of film analysis, but I guess it all comes down to personal taste. And, by the way, if Jason Reitman ever found my script I would be hootin' and hollerin' and doing a happy dance. I just really wanted to know what you all picked up on that I missed -- and it is clear I missed a lot.

Thanks, Jane

[echomusic]

I was lucky to catch Up In The Air before it became this Oscar darling of a flick.
I really, really liked it a lot. I think it's a rare case of economical filmmaking. The writing is tight, the acting is honest and direct and the filmmaking is superb -- the fact that this is only Reitman's third film is pretty astonishing. He displays more confidence than most of the veteran filmmakers working today.

Having said all that, while I enjoyed the film, it didn't really stick with me like Hurt Locker or Star Trek did.
Yes. That's right. I said Star Trek.
Probably my favorite film of last year.

[adamcarter216]

echo, nothing wrong with liking Star Trek. It's a pitch perfect piece of blockbuster filmmaking.

[echomusic]

Feb 8, 2010 18:49:06 GMT -5 adamcarter216 said:

echo, nothing wrong with liking Star Trek. It's a pitch perfect piece of blockbuster filmmaking.

Agreed. And one of the best filmgoing experiences I've ever had.
Opening night, 7:30 show at the Ziegfeld here in NYC. Amazing.

[oz]

What is truly amazing about that Star Trek, from a writing perspective, is how they set up the entire franchise as an open book with this story line. They changed the history that had already been established so now they can go in ANY direction in future sequels.

Brilliant! AND a kick ass movie : )

[zz]

I too was very underwhelmed by everyone except for Anna Kendrick. The story is not faithful to the book - a common misfortune - but I didn't understand it either.

Characters are all about transformation and change. Clooney's character ATTEMPTS to change, it doesn't work out, and he reverts to his old behavior.

The book is all about the connections the character makes UP. IN. THE. AIR. This movie should have been called DOWN. ON. THE. GROUND.

Yes, the personal interviews with real people who have been fired were also touching, but they mask the true essence of what this story is all about.

Every year, there is a LOST IN TRANSLATION-type of movie out there, which is really not that good, but people like the "subtlety," of watching nothing happen. That was this movie.

Also, why even cast Galifianakis and McBride if you're not going to let them stretch their comedic wings and use them for one or two wasted scenes? That's expecting a steak and getting spam instead.

A mediocre movie. I don't think it was BAD in any way, but it had nothing to make it good, aside from one performance.

[Jonathan]

Feb 18, 2010 18:47:54 GMT -5 zz said:

Characters are all about transformation and change.

This just isn't true.