Film reviews
The Vow
A saccharine and paint-by-numbers slice of romance, which is largely boosted by the appeal of its two leads.
Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (3D)
The under-utilised 3D adds little to this prequel, which only serves as a sore reminder of the brilliance of the original films.
Any Questions For Ben?
The talented bunch of actors ably cut through the surface gloss, but it’s tough to remain invested in the plight of the self-absorbed lead.
Shame
It starts off as brutal but arresting stuff, and the two lead performances are scorching, but disappointingly dissolves into a case of tragedy for the sake of tragedy.
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Up In The Air (Film)
Rating: M
Country: USA
Director: Jason Reitman
Cast: Jason Bateman, George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick
Distributor: Paramount
Release Date: January 14, 2010
Film Worth: $13.50
FILMINK rates movies out of $20 - the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worthA moving dramedy, highly recommended for its witty writing and engaging performances.
George Clooney is always exceedingly watchable, but his roles are seldom especially complex. This is one of the exceptions.
Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert. His entire job consists of flying around America and firing total strangers -- the people whose actual bosses don't "have the balls" to do the firing themselves. ("It is one of the worst times on record for America," crows Ryan's own boss. "This is our moment.")
It's an unpleasant way to earn a living, and of course the unfortunate souls facing Ryan across the table are usually devastated. But Ryan is never happier than when he's up in the air - "to know me is to fly with me" - and prides himself on his professional expertise. Not to mention his lack of an emotionally committed private life. He's intelligent, eloquent and a sharp student of human frailty and vulnerability.
Ryan's cosily callous life changes somewhat when his employers resolve to "ground" their whiz-kids, and make them do the sacking by video. Ryan meets 23-year-old Natalie (Anna Kendrick), brought in to streamline this new process. Outside of work, and more significantly, Ryan has also met a potential soul-mate - or at least casual frequent-flying bedmate and fellow cynic - in the form of the beguiling Alex (Vera Farmiga). Speaking of cynicism, the slickly witty one-liners keep coming thick and fast ("I'm like my mother; I stereotype, it's faster"), but you start to anticipate the inevitable moment of "redemption." Does it happen? Well, that would be telling. Suffice to say that the film turns out to be considerably more substantial, more serious and less formulaic than one might have feared.
Up In The Air is engaging, by turns witty and serious, unpredictable and surprisingly moving. Definitely recommended.