The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over

Up in the Air

A perfect film to wrap up this decade and speak volumes for the past couple of years, Up in the Air has become the film to beat at award ceremonies this winter. The story of a corporate jet setter resisting connection and ultimately falling prey to it, Up in the Air is a very special, distinctly American film.

Clooney turned in one of his better performances. Much of the time he was playing himself; cool, suave, fast talking and devilishly charming. When his character, Ryan, speaks of not believing in marriage, I found Clooney winking at the camera. But as the film goes on, Clooney portrays a vulnerability we are not used to seeing from him. In one of his best scenes, Ryan has convinced his future brother-in-law not to flee from the altar. Ryan knows he needs to step up because he has been absent from his sister's life, too wrapped up in his jet setter lifestyle. As Clooney watches his brother-in-law and sister reconnect, his eyes subtly well up with tears. He is completely exposed and ready to make changes in his life. This film really showcases Clooney's range.

Anna Kendrick has a star-making performance as a young go-getter whom Clooney must educate. She performs the role very naturally, a young girl wanting to be successful but who has bitten off more than she can chew. She one of Clooney's two catalysts for change. Vera Farmiga turns in a very sexy, seductive, and mysterious. She's rightfully earned many praises for her performance. These two women breath life into the film. Clooney could not have carried it alone, the way he would have if the movie stayed more faithful to the book.

This film's characters are some of it's strongest points. These characters are completely dimensional. They have all different sides and these sides shine through and develop as the movie goes on. Some appear at first to be stock characters but end not as they began. Watching these characters blossom and change, for better or worse, was one of my favorite parts. Even the minor characters, like Zach Galifinakis and J.K. Simmons are memorable.

This film left me feeling very sad. I think back to the cliched phrase "Tis better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all." Ryan loved, and he lost. Badly. He didn't gain an optimistic, better luck next time outlook. He was coldly lied to and rejected. He becomes the fired employee. But unlike the advice Ryan gives let go employees, I don't think Ryan will look back on his failed connection and feel glad that it happened. I don't think he'll ever recover from his leap of faith.

The realism the runs through the film makes it very enjoyable. Losing one's job and the psychological effects, isolation vs. commitment, these two themes play a large role in present American lives. If this film had been released earlier in the decade, it wouldn't have had the impact it has. I expect to see this movie clean up come Oscar night.

Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie

If you know me, you know I love Dustin. He makes an excellent man and an excellent woman. His female physicality is pretty spot on. It takes a real man to comfortably put on woman's clothing and wear them proudly. Dustin Hoffman must be all man. Hoffman always gives his whole heart to a performance and results are always good. I love him more everyday.

Netflix

Apocalypse Now-I think it's time I see this.
Adam-Cute rom-com with a twist.
The Big Lebowski-Netflix Instant. It's been so long since I've seen this cult classic, I feel I should get reacquainted with it.