As the credits rolled by I struggled to put a genre to the movie - that's where the movie scored.
Jason has picked up 6-7 days in life of Mr. Ryan Bingham (George Clooney - brilliant acting) who works in this "niche" consulting farm that doles out both - motivational training as well as retrenchment solutions to corporate America. As you follow Ryan through his grueling travel schedule, he strikes you as a cold blooded arsehole who is willing to make a career out of firing people (just like some of my former bosses....) and earn miles with his airlines in the bargain!!
Ryan's life takes a turn as a new smarty pants (played very well by Anna Kendrick - again a brilliant actress) in his office sets up a new way of firing people - over the video conference! Ryan makes an unsuccessful but a valiant attempt to show to his boss - with the smarty pants in his tow - that his job is irreplaceable. And one more thing, while all this is happening Ryan is chasing his love.....
While the story line is simple, it is the journey that is interesting. The journey where Ryan learns what happens after people get fired, how does it feel to CONNECT, how is it easy to be lonely and extremely difficult to belong....
You will enjoy....
- George Clooney, Vera Farmiga (Ryan's lady love) and Anna Kendrick in their memorable roles - Guys it does not matter who wins Oscar for best performance - whether any one wins it or not - it is that moment in life when all three of you can go home and enjoy a glass of whiskey knowing that you have done a phenomenal job...
- The dialogues - wit, humor, sarcasm and above all the reactions of people being fired - hats off once more to Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner for a beautiful screenplay and dialogues.
PLEASE TAKE YOUR PARTNER WITH YOU AND WATCH THIS MOVIE IN A GOOD THEATRE WHERE PEOPLE VALUE MOVIE MORE THAN POP CORNS.
Last but not least, I want to show this movie to Subhash Ghai and Karan Johar. Guys you have made fabulous movies all your lives and I have saluted you many times but please go and see Up in the air and learn the art of concisely telling stories from this movie...
Bravo!!!!!
*****
Good review Devang. What also struck me about the movie is the different motivation for different people, e.g. GC was chasing frequent flier miles... and when he actually reaches his Goal... all of that seems irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteThis is the hallmark of Jason. His potray of sensitive topics like Abortion in Juno, and unemployment in this one is exceptional.
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