The movie Up In The Air is funny. It’s filled with jokes and witticisms for all tastes – from quite simple to (almost) refined. Some jokes make you want to laugh even a little longer than what’s socially acceptable.
The movie Up In The Air is kind. In just about two hours, it (almost) vividly touches on serious life issues such as human relationships, love, the concept of commitment (which has no real equivalent in Russian), work, dreams, the meaning of life… Some twists in the film leave the viewer not indifferent, and almost everyone will end up with damp traces on their cheeks…
The movie Up In The Air is intelligent. Its witticisms are not just funny, but also (almost) profound. At least, this film is definitely not aimed at imbeciles, like the many so-called “comedies” made by Hollywood. A smart person feels on equal footing with the main characters and might very well see themselves as one of them…
The movie Up In The Air is socially (almost) timely. In the midst of a crisis, when even once-stable companies go bankrupt and are forced to reduce their workforce so sharply that they end up laying off valuable, competent employees – this kind of “stylish, smart, funny, and kind” movie was exactly what was needed, with George Clooney’s charming mouth reminding us that sometimes an end is a beginning, no matter how old, sick, or financially burdened you might be.
In general, despite all the “almost”s, it turns out that the movie is really wonderful. Not necessarily because it’s “beautiful in every way” (if we compare it to that literary heroine – who is anything but), no. It’s just that something happens to the mind after watching it. You want to clear your thoughts, feelings, and home of clutter. You want to start with a clean slate. Smile at everyone around and appreciate what you have. Dream with the intention of achieving it. And simply love.
We are lacking simple love.