Movie review – “Up in the Air” (2009) ****1/2

Wonderful movie – I was a bit hostile coming in to watch it, all that acclaim and Jason Reitman being so damn talented – but was totally disarmed by it’s brilliant writing, excellent acting and all-round skill. George Clooney is good as ever, there are superb performances across the board – that new girl is great, Jason Bateman is having the most wonderful second act to his career, Vera Farmiga is the perfect girl, the small roles are spot on. I can imagine the studio asking several times for the ending to be tweaked (“can’t Vera turn out to be nice”) but that’s what rises this to true greatness. There is also the fact part of Clooney’s life is very attractive – going around the country, nice treatment, minimal commitment (I was reminded in some ways of Hugh Grant in About a Boy). My favourite bit was crashing the techno people party - Young MC makes an appearance!