Very few actors can play a
charming cad who can do dastardly deeds and, yet, have you believe in and care
for them. George Clooney is one of
those few actors and he brings his charm to "Up In The Air" while he flies about
the country firing people from their jobs and walking away from the consequences
of doing that.

I really didn't know what
to expect walking into this film as the coming attractions sort of made it feel
like a comedy but what little I have read made it seem deeper than that. This is
not a feel good movie by any means and I saw the ending coming half way into the
movie BUT, by the same token, I identified with George Clooney's character as far as the being,
wanting to be, a loner.

The best part of the movie is the snappy one liners,
one after another, exchanged between Clooney and Vera Farmiga and their scenes
together sparkle. In many scenes they go toe to toe and come out even but in one
important scene she scores a knockout.

Though I understand the
reason for Anna Kendrick's character of Natalie in the story line I didn't feel
it necessary and if eliminated could have left more room for the Clooney/Farmiga story though that isn't the core of
the movie. The movie revolves around Clooney's character, Ryan Bingham, who does a nasty job without
letting it involve him because he doesn't get involved, doesn't know how to get
involved with others including his own family. He lives a life on the go,
enjoying the many benefits of a good paying job, with minimum
baggage.

I found the movie to be a
downer and I don't think once the story line gets around many people will
eagerly go to see it in our current economic situation and want to watch people
getting fired and the aftermath of that act BUT, and it is a big BUT, it is
worth seeing for the Clooney/Farmiga scenes.

There is talk about quite a few possible Oscar
nominations including for Best Picture, which I don't think it deserves, and one
for Clooney as Best Actor, for which, so far, there aren't many contenders and
which I don't know if he rightly earns it because though he gives one of his
best performances it doesn't seem a memorable one. I
certainly hope Vera Farmiga gets a
nomination in either the Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress
category.