Up in the Air

It flies by like an airplane, leaving behind a condensing steam of nice phrases, textbook truths, and encouraging statements. All we need is for Clooney to raise his eyebrows and the world seems to be a kind place where even the biggest loss has its positive aspects. However, like the hero Ryan, above all Reitman's film gives the viewer a treated motivational pat – I was not offended in any way, but truth be told, I also checked out. (18/01/2010)

The same old story. Reitman makes one movie after another, but he just can’t achieve the quality of his shorts. And here it is even worse because the entire time I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this is an Americanized variation (and I don’t mean that pejoratively, just it’s been adapted to the American way of life, the mood in society etc.) on last year’s Japanese Oscar winner. Unfortunately I get the feeling from this that it isn’t nearly as sincere as intentional, criminally dry and almost too “serious". (10/01/2010)

When odes to Juno were being sung, I stood silently at the back. But when praises for flying were sung, I must be heard in the front rows. Clooney showcases his most natural side after some nice couple of years, Reitman's script elevates the concept of "life truth", and that treacherously realistic ending still doesn't let me sleep. The overall impression takes up so comprehensively that neither side can contradict. Lovers of people with a pleasant everyday feeling of a warmed home will have their share, just like chronic travelers who may become unsure whether it really makes sense to start returning somewhere. Calm, intelligently-warm certainty. (28/02/2010)

I like Clooney, I like the psychological Reitman, I like Vera Farmiga in any position, and yes, I even like the quirky Anna Kendrick, so I couldn't really dislike Up in the Air. A romantic delicacy seasoned with great actors, between whom there is amazing chemistry, an interesting plot and, above all, an unobtrusive, but at the same time completely natural and purposeful humour, the kind the Americans pleasantly surprise me with from time to time. I also appreciate the lack of an annoying happy ending (i.e. a passionate kiss in the rain and other forms of cinematic romance), which was instead handled like the rest of the film – casually, humanly, and originally. Damn, I love this movie..:) 80% (19/08/2013)

True, there were moments that seemed a bit forced, but overall, I found this movie quite enjoyable. It made me ponder a bit, yet at the same time, it's not a requirement as you can also just switch off your mind and relax. However, this film is far from mindless; if you pay attention, it has something to say. It avoids being cheaply pathetic, though there are moments that may lean in that direction, and it doesn't try to deceive the viewer with a contrived happy ending. Today, I genuinely enjoyed it, and the chemistry between George Clooney and Vera Farmiga significantly contributed to that. / Lesson learned: Sometimes it's genuinely challenging to keep both feet on the ground and not have your head in the clouds. (14/07/2022)