10 Days to Oscar: Up in the Where?

The OHS Film Institute was polarized by Ryan Bingham. Walter Kirn's character by way of director Jason Reitman's (Juno) adaptation is a corporate axeman. A lone-wolf first class flyer who is obsessed with attaining the holy grail of accumulated airline miles: 10,000,000 to be exact. In the meantime, he successfully detaches himself from any lingering human contact. He is a self-proclaimed empty backpack. A shark with no possible means of forging a meaningful relationship.

Some of our students saw him as childish and self-absorbed. Some sympathized with his disillusion and referenced possible tragic causes. Still some others (read: scruffaluffagus) saw him as a disgusting illustration of everything that's wrong with America (read: capitalism).

We spent an entire class period debating the methodology and inspiration that drives a character like this.

Reitman, in the horrible ABC film clip with Peter Travers (who incidentally, I love in print but acts like a total boob on camera) that is linked below, succintly puts an end to the argument.

Start watching at 6:29...the rest is garbage, but Reitman lays down Bingham's essence succintly. It becomes obvious that Reitman also adapted the script, because he speaks with a writer's affection for character rather than a director's affection for aesthetic. This comes through in the film and makes it a gem for viewers.

I agree with everything Reitman says, and want to leave him with the last word. At the end, he describes his role as a director much in the same way I would describe my role as a teacher.

Grab video here.

Now, for relevance to the BIG SHOUE! Up in the Air isn't the Picture of the year, but it is certainly the year's most enjoyable.

Reitman deserves Best Director for a beautifully spun tale that only uses Kirn's so-so novel as a springboard (yes, this may be one of those feeeew cases that the movie is better than the book). He also creates a zeitgeist film. Reitman used real professionals who had been recently laid off instead of using actors [for the most part, as someone in class pointed out, Zach Galifinakis and JK Simmons (possibly the most under-rated character actor of the past five years?) are doing well professionally]. This creates the movie's most memorable and crushing moments. This sobering backdrop is vital to the film's tension and believability. He also taped the wedding scene, the film's most emotionally engaging, by simply allowing a wedding to unfold.

I am so psyched about Reitman. He has all the makings and resume of a master. He will come to define film through the next ten years. And, from what I can see, if this unfolds as planned, we will be treated to a delightful array of touching, funny, character dramas. I cannot wait for him to continue to swallow Hollywood whole. Hopefully, he doesn't become singularly obsessed with one actor and one social event for the rest of his career (Spielberg = Hanks = WWII, or wait, am I getting confused with Mr. Cervi?)

The movie is Oscar's most celebrated from an acting standpoint (three total nominees). Anna Kendrick's faux-cold professional-come-determined school girl really trying to impress the old boys puts forth the film's best and most important performance. She is the only true protagonist, and her search for truth in Bingham's world mimics the audience's relationship with him. Like us, she is both strangely attracted to and repulsed by the Bingham lifestyle. She allows Clooney to be subtly charming while not abandoning Bingham's ridiculous, empty rituals and value system.

Vera Farmiga leveled me. She is every stone-stared, strong and sexy professional woman I have ever known. And I have known at least three of them.

Would I be beaten up if I were to say this is not George Clooney's best performance? Hypothetically? Is it ok to say that I think he is too likable? Could a less charming actor have delivered an edgier, more transgressive Ryan Bingham? And  would that have, possibly, added a depth to the film? Not that I'm saying that. Just asking.

Oscar breathes down my neck, and Redbox will be able to mortgage my home soon because I can't bring myself to watch District 9. An alien Holocaust film? Ugh. Four movies to go, ten days to watch!

Avatar, I'm coming for you!